Title

Entryway into the child protection system: The impacts of child maltreatment reporting policies and reporting system structures

Authors

Authors

J. A. Steen;L. Duran

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Child Abuse Negl.

Keywords

Child maltreatment reporting; Child welfare; Organization; Policy; System structure; Family Studies; Psychology, Social; Social Work

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the impacts of maltreatment reporting policies and reporting system structures on four aspects of entry into the child protection system (the maltreatment referral rate, the percentage of referrals screened in for investigation, the screened-in report rate and the substantiated report rate). Using secondary data from several sources, eight multiple linear regression models were created and analyzed. Results from a sample of 44 states indicated significant effects for system structure but no effects for reporting policies. Specifically, states with decentralized reporting system structures were significantly more restrictive in access than other states. These results have implications for child welfare administrators and policymakers seeking to maximize access for maltreated children and their families. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Child Abuse & Neglect

Volume

38

Issue/Number

5

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

868

Last Page

874

WOS Identifier

WOS:000337203300006

ISSN

0145-2134

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