This study examines how community-based mandated reporters understand and interpret "reasonable suspicion", the standard threshold for mandated reporting of suspected child abuse. Respondents were asked to identify the probability necessary for "suspicion of child abuse" to constitute "reasonable suspicion". Data were analyzed for internal…

This study examined adolescent paternity through structured interviews with their social workers. It adds to the literature by exploring if there were young men involved with the child protection services (CPS) system who are fathers, identifying their unique needs, and beginning discussions on working with these young men. CPS social workers from…

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…

This study describes predictors of secondary traumatic stress and burnout in a national sample of helping professionals, with a specific focus on the unique responses of child welfare (CW) workers. Specific worker and exposure characteristics are examined as possible predictors of these forms of occupational distress in a sample of 669…

African American children are overrepresented in foster care by more than twice their proportion in the population (U.S. Government Accountability Office [USGAO], 2007). Building upon research relating faith (religiosity) to positive health and mental health, this study utilized cognitive and religious coping theories to examine the influence of…

Child welfare systems throughout the United States are being closely scrutinized as sensational cases appear in the media in nearly every state. At the federal level, with the Child and Family Service Review process, the government is documenting that states across the country are not conforming to federal child welfare requirements (DHHS, 2007)…

Based on a survey of public assistance and child welfare agency staff, this article examines how state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) policy decisions have affected kinship care providers. Findings indicate that most states have continued using TANF to provide income support to kinship caregivers, and some have used TANF to find…

Reports on a survey of 72 motherless families that indicates a need for future research and modification of social laws to meet the needs of fathers who rear children in the absence of mothers. (Author/SB)

The 1971-74 survey of the health needs and services provided to 668 New York City children in foster care indicated that the Medicaid program failed to ensure adequate routine care and treatment. Recommendations are made for the implementation of effective services. (Author/SE)

A survey of health services in a group of licensed day care centers indicates a general lack of written guidelines, failure to have a designated health coordinator, and a serious paucity of nutrition and dental education programs. (MS)

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)

Reports findings of a recent assessment of the health and social needs of children under age 6 in an area of 85,000 people from different racial, ethnic and income groups located in Boston. This assessment documented resource needs, highlighted specific problems and revealed mistaken priorities. (BR)

A total of 59 women who relinquished children for adoption were surveyed concerning their demographic characteristics, attitudes about adoption, and experience of grief. Results suggest that the method of adoption used is a significant factor in the grief experienced by biological mothers. (BG)