Meeting the needs of families who are involved with the child welfare system because of a substance abuse issue remains a challenge for child welfare practitioners. In order to improve services to these families, there has been an increasing focus on improving collaboration between child welfare, treatment providers, and the court systems. This…

This study assessed the effectiveness of building partnerships with community resources and systems for court-referred clients and their families through a participant outcome evaluation. Specific variables studied included change in substance abuse patterns, family well-being, child safety, and recidivism. Results from pre-post testing revealed…

Compares developmentally disabled children in foster care and adoption in 13 agencies nationwide and describes the parents who adopted these children. The importance of building links between foster care and adoption units within and between these agencies is stressed. (Author/BB)

Investigates the coordination of services for children with developmental disabilities among state agencies. Results suggest that a substantial number of children with developmental disabilities and their families receive services from child welfare agencies and that service coordination among agencies relies heavily on formal interagency…

Discusses problems with pediatric care of foster children that were identified in a survey of pediatricians in Connecticut. Reviews recommendations of the Health Advisory Committee to the Connecticut Department of Children and Youth Services. Describes several solutions that have already been implemented in Connecticut. (BB)

Offers detailed guidelines that could be used as standard operating procedures for the merger of voluntary social service agencies. Discusses a survey of 32 agencies that merged during the years 1973 to 1986. Issues related to the roles of organization, staff, and service delivery in such mergers receive particular attention. (Author/BB)

Presents the results of telephone interviews, self-questionnaires, and site visits of 48 state child protective service offices regarding policies, procedures and protocols for handling complaints of abuse and neglect in children's institutions. Institutional child protection is seen as a relatively unformed appendage of interfamiliar child…

To eliminate mishandling of child abuse cases caused by a lack of interagency cooperation, the state of Georgia mandated that formal interagency committees be established. This article discusses the committees' activity levels and changes in organizational patterns brought about by the committee system. Offers insight into how nonfunded mandates…