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Factors associated with service utilization in child welfare: A structural equation model

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  • Hollinshead, Dana M.
  • Kim, Sangwon
  • Fluke, John D.
  • Merkel-Holguin, Lisa

Abstract

A key premise of child protective services systems is that families who participate in needed services will be associated with better outcomes. Using data from 1849 cases involved in a randomized control trial study conducted in three child welfare systems implementing Differential Response, this research tested a conceptual framework of engagement by exploring caregiver, caseworker, and agency factors and their roles in enhancing or suppressing service utilization. The findings from this exploratory study identified particular agency, caseworker and caregiver dynamics that were associated with greater participation in services. Controlling for other variables, receipt of an alternative response intervention, a caseworkers' inclusive interaction style, caregivers' positive emotional responses to their caseworker, and their satisfaction with their experiences were associated with utilization of counseling, employment-related, and/or basic needs services. Unexpectedly, caregivers reporting a negative emotional response were also associated with higher levels of service utilization, no matter the service type category; a finding that suggests that service utilization may be enhanced both by supportive and coercive means. The results of this research enhance our understanding of the interplay of policies, practices, casework skills, and caregiver characteristics with respect to child welfare outcomes, including indicators of engagement such as service utilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Hollinshead, Dana M. & Kim, Sangwon & Fluke, John D. & Merkel-Holguin, Lisa, 2017. "Factors associated with service utilization in child welfare: A structural equation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 506-516.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:79:y:2017:i:c:p:506-516
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.07.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Estefan, Lianne Fuino & Coulter, Martha L. & VandeWeerd, Carla L. & Armstrong, Mary & Gorski, Peter, 2012. "Receiving mandated therapeutic services: Experiences of parents involved in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(12), pages 2353-2360.
    2. Schreiber, Jill C. & Fuller, Tamara & Paceley, Megan S., 2013. "Engagement in child protective services: Parent perceptions of worker skills," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 707-715.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lisa Merkel-Holguin & Ida Drury & Colleen Gibley-Reed & Adrian Lara & Maleeka Jihad & Krystal Grint & Kendall Marlowe, 2022. "Structures of Oppression in the U.S. Child Welfare System: Reflections on Administrative Barriers to Equity," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, February.

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