In efforts to reform the child welfare system, agency leaders must involve staff at all levels; yet, little research has been done to determine which organizational factors encourage or inhibit staff engagement. Employees from an urban child welfare agency were invited to complete a survey regarding organizational effectiveness and its influence…

The Child Welfare League of America surveyed the structured methods used by agencies to measure case outcome. The findings indicate a need to develop improved measures of effectiveness. Criteria for measures suitable to meet acountability requirements and problems in outcome measurement are discussed. (Author/RH)

While family-based placement prevention services, family reunification programs, subsidized guardianship, and aggressive adoption programs are reducing the numbers of children spending long periods of time in substitute care, a significant number of America's children will come of age in foster care. Agencies and policymakers should use research…

A questionnaire survey intended to clarify the status of educational arrangements in Illinois institutions serving disturbed, delinquent or predelinquent, or dependent/neglected children. Information on patterns of service, potential needs for specially trained teachers and related professional personnel were related areas of interest. (CS)

Reports the results of a survey of 24 public child welfare agencies in Maryland. The adequacy of health care supervision for children in foster care is assessed. (Author/CM)

Evaluates a new adoption placement program at the Ville Marie Social Service Centre (Montreal, Quebec) in which biological mothers can choose from among three profiles of adoptive parents when selecting a home for their babies. A review of staff observations is also described. (BB)