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Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research
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4.3/5, 3 Reviews
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Series: Grantee Lessons Learned |
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Author(s):
Children's Bureau (DHHS), Washington, DC.
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| Year Published: 2003 |
5 - Conclusion
The three studies discussed here have identified a number of factors—relating to the child and family, as well as to the caseworker, organizational environment, and external environment—that make an unsubstantiated case finding more or less likely. They have also begun to illuminate how children fare in those cases, in terms of repeated reports to CPS agencies, as compared to children whose cases are substantiated. This research points to the fact that substantiation is not the only valid way to identify "true" cases of abuse or neglect and may not be the only or best predictor of future harm.
These studies, however, do not represent a national sample. All of the researchers acknowledge the complexity of the CPS decision-making process and the limitations of the interpretability and generalizability of their data. More research will be needed to refine further our understanding of these issues and continue to promote the safety of children who come to the attention of the State child welfare agency.
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