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» Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research
» Table 1: Impact of Risk Factors on Decision-Making: Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research

Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research

Series: Grantee Lessons Learned

Author(s): Children's Bureau (DHHS), Washington, DC.

Year Published: 2003

Table 1: Impact of Risk Factors on Decision-Making⁵

Factors associated with an increased likelihood of SUBSTANTIATION	Factors associated with an increased likelihood of a finding of INCONCLUSIVE	Factors associated withan increased likelihood of UNSUBSTANTIATION
Risk factors found in 6 to 7 domains.		Risk factors found in 5 or fewer domains.
Any risk indicated in the incident severity domain or the caretaker/child relationship domain.	Low to moderate levels of risk for dangerous acts, physical harm, emotional maltreatment, and lack of supervision.
History of prior referrals.	History of one or two prior referrals.	No history of prior referrals.
Higher risk within the caretaker characteristics domain, including: - History of moderate or serious abuse or neglect of another child - Significant physical, mental, or emotional impairments of caretaker - Caretaker incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol - Domestic violence that resulted in an injury - Significant caretaker history of victimization as a child - Significant gaps or gross deficits in parenting skills - Caretaker is withholding from or openly hostile to the child - Caretaker denies problem or refuses responsibility - Caretaker does not/is unable to protect the child - Caretaker accepts intervention but is uncooperative - Caretaker is hostile to the agency.	Lower risk within the caretaker characteristics domain, including: - Evidence of minor abuse by caretaker to another child - Caretaker had a minor physical/mental or emotional impairment that could interfere with capacity to parent - History of or reduced effectiveness associated with substance abuse - Sporadic incidents of domestic violence with minor injury - Minor history of victimization as a child - Some gaps in parenting skills - Parent recognizes the problem and is willing to take some responsibility. Moderate risk is indicated for caretaker risk factors, but CPS worker identifies some "mitigating" or "protective" factor.	Lower risk within the caretaker characteristics domain, including: - Some, but not extensive, deficits in parenting skills or "unrealistic expectations" - Acknowledgement of problems - A degree of willingness to accept responsibility - Isolated incidents of domestic violence - Domestic violence that resulted in no physical harm - Spasmodic incidents of child abuse or neglect for the perpetrator as a child.
Higher risk within the social and economic domain, including: - Significant or severe stress - Little prospect for employment - Sporadic or isolated supports - Inability to meet basic needs.	Within the social/economic domain, inadequate resources and stress on secondary caretaker (usually the male in the household).	Lower risk within the social/economic domain, including: - Mild stress - Underemployment but with some prospects - Some supports and use of community resources - Ability to meet basic needs.
Current substance abuse.	Historical (past), or historical and current substance abuse.	Historical substance abuse.
Child is afraid of the caretaker.		Child demonstrates no fear of the perpetrator.
Professional referral source (e.g., law enforcement).	Referral source is assessed as lacking credibility.	Nonprofessional referral source (e.g., neighbor or relative).
Child ages 0 to 2 or 13+.		Child ages 3 to 5.⁶
Parental mental illness. Parental history of assaultive behavior. Unstable living situation. Caretaker is arrested.	Child acts out sexually. Child is the subject of a custody dispute. Uncooperative caretaker. The family cannot be located.	Child is able to protect him/herself.⁷ Child acts out sexually. Child is the subject of a custody dispute. Child demonstrates either "no risk" or "very high risk" for behavior problems.⁸

⁵ English I, p. 117-119. back
⁶ English I, p. 32. back
⁷ Defined as "child is able (physically and/or mentally) to escape or hide to avoid abuse, or the child may be able to resist, but the child is afraid of the caregiver." Diana English, personal Email communication, December 30, 2002. back
⁸ Despite the apparent contradiction, this is the finding. back

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Decision-Making in Unsubstantiated Child Protective Services Cases: Synthesis of Recent Research

Table 1: Impact of Risk Factors on Decision-Making5

Table 1: Impact of Risk Factors on Decision-Making⁵