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Using big data for evidence based governance in child welfare

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  • Kum, Hye-Chung
  • Joy Stewart, C.
  • Rose, Roderick A.
  • Duncan, Dean F.

Abstract

Numerous approaches are available for improving governance of the child welfare system, all of which require longitudinal data reporting on child welfare clients. A substantial amount of agency administrative information – big data – can be transformed into knowledge for policy and management actions through a rigorous information generation process. Important properties of the information generation process are that it must generate accurate, timely information while protecting the confidentiality of the clients. In addition, it must be extensible to serve an ever-changing policy and technology environment. Knowledge discovery and data mining (KDD), aka data science, is a method developed in the private sector to mine consumer data and can be used in public settings to support evidence based governance. KDD consists of a rigorous 5-step process that includes a Web-based end-user interface. The relationship between KDD and governance is a continuous feedback cycle that enables ongoing development of new information and knowledge as stakeholders identify emerging needs. In this paper, we synthesis the different frameworks for utilizing big data for public governance, introduce the KDD process, describe the nature of big data in child welfare, and then present an updated KDD architecture that can support these frameworks to utilize big data for governance. We also demonstrate the role KDD plays in child welfare management through 2 case studies. We conclude with a discussion on implications for agency–university partnerships and research-to-practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Kum, Hye-Chung & Joy Stewart, C. & Rose, Roderick A. & Duncan, Dean F., 2015. "Using big data for evidence based governance in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 127-136.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:58:y:2015:i:c:p:127-136
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.09.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. DeZelar, Sharyn & Lightfoot, Elizabeth, 2018. "Use of parental disability as a removal reason for children in foster care in the U.S," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 128-134.
    2. Tanana, Michael J. & Vanderloo, Mindy J. & Waid, Jeffrey D., 2018. "Harnessing the potential of administrative data to inform child welfare programming with dynamic visualization methodologies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 81-90.
    3. Barbara Fallon & Joanne Filippelli & Tara Black & Nico Trocmé & Tonino Esposito, 2017. "How Can Data Drive Policy and Practice in Child Welfare? Making the Link in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Ben Mathews & Leah Bromfield & Kerryann Walsh, 2020. "Comparing Reports of Child Sexual and Physical Abuse Using Child Welfare Agency Data in Two Jurisdictions with Different Mandatory Reporting Laws," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-22, May.

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