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Home > Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: A Synthesis of Recent Research > Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research: 3 - Implications
Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research
Grantee Lessons Learned
3 - ImplicationsThe researchers presented a number of practical implications of their findings. These included strategies that might improve both the accuracy of decision-making and the provision of services, ultimately resulting in more positive outcomes for children. 3.1 Strategies for Improving Decision-MakingRisk assessment. The high number of unsubstantiated cases that are re-referred suggests that including risk assessment in the decision-making process, rather than basing substantiation purely on the question of "what happened," is likely to reduce re-referral assuming services are then provided to address identified issues. This is particularly critical, one study's authors suggest, where there is insufficient evidence, according to State law and agency policy, to support a decision to substantiate.52 Consistency in decision-making. Due to variations in both State decision-making policies and individual caseworker behaviors, consistent decision-making within CPS agencies was not found to be a realistic expectation in at least one study. If consistency is important to a CPS agency, that agency might begin with a review of policies and laws related to indeterminacy (i.e., decision-making categories and levels of evidence). Where dispositional options are limited, or where the level of evidence required is more restrictive, consistently higher levels of unsubstantiation are more likely. Training to address individual decision-making behaviors and the consequences to children of particular decisions may also be helpful. Given the apparent impact of caseworker behavior on decision-making, this could be an opportunity to identify thresholds for action, clarify differences in personal tendencies, and provide better direction to workers on the impact of decision-maker discretion.53 To achieve consistency, understanding the effects of workload stress may also need to be addressed.54 Use of central registries. At least two studies point to an important link between prior referrals and decision-making. Researchers in one study suggest that agencies may therefore want to re-think policies that require purging all unsubstantiated cases from central registries. Since a large number of families with previously unsubstantiated cases will return to the system, allowing caseworkers to scan for all prior referrals when assessing risk can help agencies evaluate ways to improve outcomes for the children in these cases.55 Role of the supervisor. Supervisors play a pivotal role in providing information about agency policy and setting the tone for workers regarding organizational consequences of decision-making.56 Supervisors can also play an important role in buffering workers from job stress.57 When supervisors are responsive to and knowledgeable about their role in the agency, more consistent interpretation and application of policy is likely to result. Higher percentages of unsubstantiation may also result, if workers feel more supported. 3.2 Strategies for Improving Service ProvisionResource development. Further consideration needs to be given to the impact resource limitations have on practice, as these limitations have been shown to impact both decision-making and re-referral outcomes. Not surprisingly, at least one study found re-referral rates increased when decision-makers reported inadequate services for families.58 Targeting services. Certain risk factors for re-referral, revealed through this research, might support the development of more targeted community resources. For example, lower community income levels were associated with a moderate increase in the likelihood of re-referral for most types of maltreatment. This may indicate a need for child welfare agencies to participate in efforts to build support systems (both informal and formal) within lower-income communities or find other ways to provide services for those families.59 Services for unsubstantiated cases. As mentioned earlier, due to the sheer number of initially unsubstantiated cases, more children return to the system from unsubstantiated than substantiated cases. As a result, CPS agencies may wish to give consideration to offering services to families in those cases where a degree of risk is present but the worker may not deem it high enough to warrant substantiation. Researchers point particularly to the need for preventive services for neglect in initially unsubstantiated cases of any type, because neglect is "almost always the most common type of second report."60 More States also may wish to consider a "two-track" approach. In States that take this approach, gathering evidence to substantiate a case (and involving the courts) is only an issue in the more severe cases. In less severe cases, caseworkers are able to focus on providing support to families who need it (including families that might otherwise be unable to receive services because their cases do not meet the evidence requirements for substantiation).61 Multiple maltreatment types. Since most children who return to the system are eventually referred for multiple types of maltreatment, caseworkers should monitor carefully for the risk of multiple maltreatment types in chronically maltreating families. State or county policies and resources also must allow for caseworkers to provide chronically maltreating families with broad assessment and support, rather than to focus services only on the specific type of maltreatment currently identified.62 Longer-term services. Because shorter-term services for the highest risk cases (family preservation services) were not found in this research to reduce re-referral, agencies should strategize ways to provide longer-term services to these cases. Researchers in one study suggest decision-making and service planning are best based upon the capacity of the family. For example, this may require extending the length of stay for some children in foster care, rather than returning a child to the home before the family is fully ready (e.g., this particular study found better outcomes for children who stayed in foster care longer than 3 months).63 52 English I, p. 122. back
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