Articles tagged with Child Welfare
A nationwide study found that states with more generous SNAP policies had fewer children involved in Child Protective Services and sent to foster care. The study showed a 5% increase in SNAP beneficiaries reduced CPS and foster care caseloads between 7.6% and 14.3%.
A new study found that 64% of adults who had contact with the child welfare system as children achieve excellent mental health, highlighting resilience and factors associated with flourishing. Chronic pain, major depression, and social isolation hinder optimal mental health.
A national study found that differential response programs, which provide voluntary services to families at risk of child maltreatment, were associated with a 19% reduction in substantiated reports of child maltreatment and a 25% decrease in neglect reports. These programs also led to a 17% reduction in foster care placements.
A new study from George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services researchers found that the likelihood of foster youth with disabilities experiencing homelessness or incarceration during transition to adulthood varies by type of disability. Youth with emotional disabilities are more likely to experience homelessness, whi...
A recent study found that child abuse investigations by Child Protective Services (CPS) do not necessarily prevent poor sexual health outcomes in adolescent girls. In fact, the researchers discovered that girls who underwent investigation were more likely to experience adverse sexual health outcomes, including STIs and pregnancy, befor...
A new study found that most children living in out-of-home care don't access health services within nationally required timeframes, highlighting a significant gap in the system. The research revealed that only one in 130 had attended all recommended health services within 12 months of entering out-of-home care.
A new study estimates that over 5.2 million children worldwide have experienced the death of a parent or caregiver as a result of COVID-19. The number of affected children has nearly doubled in the six months from May 2021 to October 2021, with adolescents aged 10-17 years being disproportionately affected.
Research by Robert Sege and Allison Stephens found that emergency department visits, abusive head trauma admissions, and child welfare reports decreased during the pandemic. The authors attribute this decline to increased support for families, including financial assistance, paid parental leave, and other social factors.
A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriages in 14 US states violated statutory rape laws, often due to exemptions allowing sex between married couples. The research highlights the need to reexamine marital exemptions and raise the minimum legal age for marriage to avoid inconsistencies.
A new study in Ohio finds that neighborhoods with more opioid overdoses have higher rates of child welfare investigations and confirmed cases of child maltreatment. Concentrated disadvantage measures, such as poverty levels, are particularly associated with severe issues with child maltreatment.
A new study reveals that poor women in rural India are more likely to die during childbirth due to lack of access to safe hospital births. The research found that only 26% of women in low-performing states deliver in hospitals, compared to 87% of those exposed to mass media.
Forced family separation on the US-Mexico border led to a high incidence of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety disorders in asylum-seeking children and parents. Reunification did not alleviate these symptoms, highlighting the need for continued support and intervention.
A study found that prescription drug monitoring programs in states significantly reduced child maltreatment incidents, with significant declines in neglect and physical abuse cases. The implementation of PDMPs was particularly effective in reducing maltreatment among American Indian and Alaskan Native children.
A new visual analytics tool, Sibyl, was developed to help child welfare specialists understand machine learning predictions. The tool uses bar graphs to show how specific factors of a case contribute to the predicted risk that a child will be removed from their home within two years.
The proposed reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) has the potential to positively impact parents with substance use disorder and infants with substance exposure. The legislation needs improved implementation to achieve a public health approach, providing tailored guidance and support for states.
Children in foster care are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications, with a prevalence of 35% compared to 8% for non-foster peers, according to a new study. The research found significant differences in medication use across all age groups.
Adults in the child welfare system with substance misuse issues have higher scores on a trauma questionnaire than previously estimated for other adults and the general population. Children in these families also experience more trauma, with trauma scores 27% higher than those in the juvenile justice system.
A recent study by North Carolina State University highlights key factors that facilitate engaging nonresident fathers in child welfare efforts. The study found that social service providers who work with male social workers and incorporate specific values and mindsets into their practice can effectively engage fathers.
Professor Michael E. Wolf-Braningin received awards totaling $267,675 from the US Department of Health and Human Services to support student stipends for child welfare careers. The awards are part of a partnership between George Mason University's social work department and the Virginia Department of Social Services.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found that quality supervisory support and strong relationships with coworkers are crucial for child welfare caseworkers' job satisfaction. The study also highlighted the importance of adequate technology and equipment in managing workload effectively.
A new study found that youth with a history of foster care have self-identified dental needs, including issues with pain, and less access to a dentist to address these needs. Approximately 44% of youth with a history of foster care reported at least one dental problem.
New research from the University of Georgia shows that foster care and homelessness create significant barriers to higher education success. Stable housing and financial support are top concerns for these students. Institutions like UGA are implementing programs to address this issue, but more needs to be done at the federal level.
A recent study found that foster youth aged 14-20 struggle with basic financial skills, such as opening a bank account or building savings. The researchers recommend incorporating financial literacy courses and increased support from case workers to help them transition to independence.
A new study examines the application of a risk assessment tool in child welfare decision-making and finds drastically different approaches between two states. The 'Goldilocks problem' highlights the challenges of standardizing a complex process, where too much rigidity can lead to inaccurate outcomes.
A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that youth in the child welfare system who died by suicide were more likely to have experienced out-of-home placements, mental health conditions, and visited healthcare settings. Integrating suicide prevention strategies into healthcare delivery is crucial for this vulnerable population.
The University of Texas at San Antonio's Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Housing First Project aims to address critical housing needs of at least 25 students pursuing college degrees each year. The program provides rental assistance, wrap-around support, and educational resources for 12-24 months to support degree completion.
Researchers developed a tool to measure the quality of care in kinship settings, addressing the lack of standardized screening tools. The 36-item scale assesses five key criteria, including caregiver capacity and neighborhood support.
Michael E. Wolf-Branigin, a Professor of Social Work at George Mason University, has been awarded a Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program grant valued at $267,675. The funding supports the development of social work students for long-lasting careers in child welfare.
Children in social care have poorer mental health and school performance, but trust school staff and perform better after individual assessments. School-based interventions can help these children do better, with improved intelligence, literacy, and mathematical skills, according to a new study.
A study by New York University researchers found that nearly half of 17-year-old foster youth use counseling services and almost a third take medications for mental health issues. However, many report feeling unprepared to manage their mental health, highlighting the need for targeted support interventions.
Project Nurture, a novel treatment and social services program, has been shown to reduce child maltreatment and foster care placement by more than 8 percentage points. The program also increases prenatal visits and hospital length-of-stay for new mothers with opioid use disorder.
A population study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that preterm children are at least one and a half times more likely to be placed outside the home than full-term counterparts. The likelihood of placement is highest during early childhood, with no difference observed after age 5.
A $2.64 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services will support a program to improve outcomes for children and families affected by addiction. The partnership aims to increase well-being, permanency, and safety for children in out-of-home placements due to parental substance misuse.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found that spending more on transitional housing for teens aging out of foster care can prevent homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, and early childbirth. States that spend above average on housing support have lower rates of negative outcomes among these youth.
A new study by the University of East Anglia found that foster carers of LGBTQ young people often lack knowledge, skills, and support to meet their needs. This can lead to negative attitudes and approaches going unchallenged, causing harm to the young people in care.
Nearly 1.2 million children (23%) were removed from foster care due to parental drug use during the 2000-2017 period, with a notable increase in opioid-related cases. The study highlights the growing impact of parental substance abuse on child welfare.
Researchers from Oxford University and the International Fund for Animal Welfare document a wild group of endangered Barbary macaques adopting an injured juvenile from a neighboring group. The unusual display of concern provides valuable information for rehabilitation and release strategies.
Researchers identified 11 primary challenges faced by therapists, including unrealistic agency expectations, inadequate support, and heightened case complexity. Therapists reported needing targeted trainings to improve service delivery for children and families.
A recent ASU study found that short-term foster care, also known as sleepovers, can significantly reduce stress in shelter dogs. The study tracked the dogs' stress hormone cortisol levels before, during, and after sleepovers, showing a significant decrease in stress levels.
A University of Cincinnati study identified more than 1,000 victims of human trafficking in Ohio, as well as 4,209 individuals at risk of victimization. The study provides recommendations to improve data collection and collaboration among agencies involved in combating human trafficking.
A new study found that LGBTQ youths are more likely to end up in foster care or unstable housing, suffering negative outcomes such as substance abuse and mental health issues. The research, published in Pediatrics, analyzed data from over 593,000 California youths and revealed that nearly 30% of those living in foster care identified a...
Research highlights long-term cognitive deficits in children from institutions, but benefits observed with foster care; gaps persist despite intervention. Cognitive improvements seen in visual-spatial memory among placed-in-foster-care children.
A study found that calls to a child abuse hotline for elementary school children increased on Saturdays when report cards were released on Fridays. The analysis included 1,943 verified cases of physical abuse, highlighting the need for further study to understand this correlation.
Researchers identified key strategies to differentiate practices with improved performance for chronic disease patients, including fostering intrinsic motivation among providers and staff. These findings inform payers and primary care practices seeking evidence-based strategies to foster a stronger delivery system.
A new report by University of Huddersfield researchers found that 35 children out of every 10,000 in Northern Ireland are in social care, compared to 52 in England, 62 in Wales, and 82 in Scotland. This difference is attributed to various factors, including policy, family circumstances, and community dynamics.
A new film premiering this weekend sheds light on the experiences of LGBTQ young people in care, highlighting vulnerability, risk, and resilience. The study found that support is limited by a lack of knowledge and confidence among professionals.
A US task force identified five global best practices for improving community health, including local anchor institutions, shared goals, and simple protocols. These findings hold great potential to improve the health of struggling communities in America.
A new study reveals that households in cohesive neighborhoods with less spanking are less likely to be involved in the child welfare system. Researchers analyzed nearly 2,300 families and found that strong social connections protect families from CPS intervention.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found a significant link between opioid prescriptions and child removal from homes due to parental neglect. The analysis revealed a 129% increase in such removals since 2012, with an estimated annual state fiscal cost of $40 million.
Child welfare workers lack effective assessment tools for identifying chronic neglect, a critical predictor of child well-being. The study identifies hazardous housing, mismanaged finances, and domestic violence as key predictors of chronic neglect.
Survival rates for individuals with kidney failure have improved significantly over the past 22 years, with decreases observed across all age groups. Improvements in dialysis care, organ transplantation, and clinical practice guidelines may be contributing factors to these advancements.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that routine laboratory screenings for children entering foster care carry high costs and questionable medical benefits. Targeted screening may be a more cost-effective approach, particularly for conditions such as anemia, lead poisoning, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
A national study led by Michigan State University researcher Sacha Klein found that participating in Head Start may help prevent young children from being placed in foster care. Kids up to age 5 in the program were 93% less likely to end up in foster care than those without early care and education.
The article highlights key findings on safety strategies among female college students, who were more likely to report a safe haven if they had higher levels of social support. In contrast, youth involved in prostitution face inadequate treatment by police and social service agencies under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
A large-scale study found that foster care children are significantly more likely to experience depression, behavioral issues, and physical health problems like asthma and obesity. Children who have been in foster care were compared to those who hadn't spent time in care, as well as those living in different family arrangements.
A team from Georgia State University has won a $2 million federal grant to improve mental health services for child victims of commercial sex trafficking. The project will expand therapy programs and train therapists working in juvenile justice and foster care systems.
Youth transitioning out of foster care face elevated risks of homelessness and poverty due to lack of family support. A study found that former foster youth struggle with low wages, irregular hours, and limited access to financial opportunities.
A Rutgers University study found that guideline-recommended practices such as nonpharmacological mental health services are frequently not followed. Despite this, higher rates of psychosocial interventions and metabolic monitoring have been achieved for children in foster care compared to other Medicaid-insured children.
Research found that early institutional care was associated with lower DNA methylation at specific stress-related genes. This epigenetic modification can have long-lasting impacts on biological and behavioral processes.
A new study by the University of Washington found that states' varying politics and approaches to social problems drive foster care entry. States with more punitive criminal justice systems tend to remove children from their homes far more frequently than those with generous welfare programs.