National survey data were used to assess whether child welfare agency ties to behavioral health care providers improved placement stability for adolescents served by both systems. Adolescents initially at home who were later removed tended to have fewer moves when child welfare and behavioral health were in the same larger agency. Joint training…

This study evaluated the impact of housing services among child welfare-involved families using observational data. Propensity score matching with data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being compared intact families (n = 183) who received housing services 12 months after initial investigation to nontreated families balanced on…

Provides adoption statistics for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including the total number of adoptions in 1987, 1988, and 1990, and the number of public agency adoptions as a percentage of total adoptions for 1990. Statistics on adoption are inexact because of the variety of data sources and their changing nature. (MDM)

Analyzes adoption information from courts, social service agencies, and bureaus of vital records for 1991 and 1992. Finds that adoptions by step-parents constitute nearly half of all adoptions, and that individually arranged adoptions are likely to be by relatives. Suggests that the information provided constitutes a baseline for measurement of…

Using three waves of data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, this study examines differences in cognitive, academic, and affective well-being of youth first placed in nonkinship foster care (N=259) and youth first placed in group care (N=89). To compare nonrandomized groups, propensity score matching was used. Results…

This article presents a discussion of two major problems in analyzing child abuse data: (1) the confusion between reports of abuse and neglect, and (2) the scarcity of data on confirmed reports. (CS)

The theory of foster-adoptive programs is explained and analyzed. The term "flexible family resource" describes the acceptance by trained families of children who have not yet had parental rights terminated, and thus may return to their biological parents at some time. Although this idea is promising, further research is indicated. (DG)

Data show that, despite philosophical opposition on the part of human service professionals, proprietary firms have become successful and apparently satisfactory providers of public child welfare services. Several attitudinal and administrative adjustments that could make contracting for services a less ideological and more effective procedure are…

A survey of statewide public agencies shows that a majority of states have some form of judicial or administrative periodic review, although few have both. The organizational level of authority and degree of foster care specialization of agencies are positively correlated with administrative review and negatively correlated with judicial review.…

Mandatory reporting laws have created a dilemma for many mental health professionals, who must weigh confidentiality and the best interests of their client with the legal obligation to report instances of child abuse. A national survey of child protective agencies found strong support for the current mandatory reporting system and only marginal…

Social work students interviewed 29 adult foreign-born adoptees and 23 of their adoptive parents. Describes demographics of the participants, and summarizes and discusses their responses to questions about personal, family, and social adjustment. Students emphasized the importance of social workers' sensitivity and self-awareness when dealing with…

Reports results of a national survey on the use of computerized central registry systems as in child protective services, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of such systems and the extent to which protections have been established against potential abuse of individual civil rights. A need for further study of central registries is…

Reports the results of the National Adoption Study of Canada (NAS), which is based on demographic adoption statistics and a survey of adoption agencies and practitioners. The NAS found that between 1981 and 1990 the number of adoptions decreased by 47% and that private adoptions are accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of infant…