Re: some cps/child welfare questions

[adeline/murray levine <psylevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 2/13/02 4:02 PM, "Alison Gibbons" <agibbons@childtrends.org> wrote:

> we are working on a research brief regarding the hidden costs of child abuse
> and neglect.  there are several specific topics that i'm looking to document
> with research findings:
> 
> 1.  most children who are reported to child protective service agencies are
> never investigated.
> 
> 2.  tremendous fluctuation occurs within the child welfare system (50% annual
> change in composition of children in care).
> 
> 3.  similar fluctuation in caseworkers within the CPS/child welfare systems;
> large caseload burdens diminish the time that caseworkers can spend with
> children or assess their conditions.
> 
> i have begun a search for information at the national clearinghouse on child
> abuse & neglect information website, but i thought some out there might be
> able to help as well.  you can respond off-list if you wish.  thanks very
> much!
> 
> 
> 
> Alison Gibbons
> Research Analyst
> Child Trends, Inc.
> 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW
> Suite 100
> 202.362.5580 x165
> agibbons@childtrends.org
> www.childtrends.org
> 
In NY State, about 70% of cases that reach the local CPS for investigation
are unfounded. As you might expect, these files are usually quite thin. The
case file shows very little effort to provide any kind of service during the
60 day investigation period.  Of the 30% that are substantiated, about half
are closed out immediately upon substantiation (family moved, child sent to
relative out of state, family already in treatment; family resists treatment
and case isn't strong etc.). These cases show a little more helping
activity, but not a lot.  The remainder are kept open, and many of these are
referred to court for adjudication. If you are interested, I will try to
locate the paper we published (with my colleague Howard Doueck and some
graduate students. Let me know if you would like the reference. Murray
Levine



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