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

    Authors

    J. A. Steen;L. Duran

    Comments

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    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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