Examined child protective services (CPS) screening practices in 12 sites from 5 states to identify factors predictive of the decision to investigate a report. Found that only 66% of all reports making specific allegations of maltreatment were investigated, while only 70% of all reports making specific allegations of injury were investigated. (MDM)

Examined the perceptions of the seriousness of specific components of child neglect by 131 mothers from 3 cultural groups (Hispanic, white, and African American) and 123 child welfare workers who perform 2 different functions (investigators and caseworkers). Found that the mothers' judgements of all categories of neglect were more serious than…

Provides the historical background and policy framework of child protection and family preservation approaches. Examines the complementarity between these efforts as exemplified by family reunification as a major component of the service delivery system in child welfare. Suggests that family reunification protects children and families to the…

Introduces six papers that address policy issues and alternatives related to the provision of child protective services. Papers focus on perceptions and reports of child maltreatment, decisions to investigate cases of abuse or neglect, and the effects of proposed federal legislation on service provision. (MDM)

Examined 42,679 reports of child maltreatment in Missouri in 1992, focusing on the association between the source of the report and the outcome of the subsequent investigation. Found that anonymous reports were least likely to be substantiated, whereas those from law enforcement officials were most likely to be substantiated. (MDM)

Provides an overview of the articles presented in this special issue on matters affecting family preservation services, related policies, and evaluation. Discusses concerns related to the preservation approach and child protection, suggesting that although it is an improvement on the previous protection approaches, it is fraught with difficulties…

Provides a brief overview and analysis of the legislation of Family Preservation and Support Services. Suggests that the legislation provides the states with the necessary funding to conduct needs assessments and prepare thorough plans to address the problems facing families. Notes that the legislation involves some risks due to lack of strong…

Examines the promotion of the Homebuilders type of family preservation services. Suggests that successful marketing and dissemination of a single program design, in this policy environment, may displace other, equally effective programs and models. Notes that such success in marketing may also have adverse effects on research, education, continued…

Compared reports of child maltreatment from individuals legally mandated to report such incidents (medical, school, social services, and law enforcement personnel) and those not required to report such incidents (children, responsible caretakers, absent spouses, other relatives, and neighbors). Found numerous similarities and differences among the…

Reviews three books on family preservation and welfare services: (1) "Families in Crisis: The Impact of Intensive Family Preservation Services" (Mark Frases and others); (2) "Together Again: Family Reunification in Foster Care" (Barbara Pine and others); and (3) "Rethinking Child Welfare in Canada" (Brian Wharf,…

Discusses areas where federal oversight of state compliance with foster care case-review guidelines needs improvement. Suggests avenues, such as issuing more clear and precise regulation, by which the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could best ensure that children in foster care receive the prompt case review to which they are…

Provides two reviews of "The Child Welfare Challenge," a comprehensive textbook describing the field of child welfare in the United States. Praises the use of theoretical, conceptual, and empirical material which encourages readers to think conceptually and analytically rather than descriptively. Suggests, however, that despite its…

Examines the proposal to assign the child protective investigative function to law enforcement agencies, while maintaining the family service function in the child welfare system. Reviews the national experience with the separation of income maintenance and social services in public welfare, advising extreme caution in the implementation of this…

Compared the application of intensive family preservation services (IFPS) to reunify children in out-of-home care placement with their biological families, with the same service used for preventing the need for such placements. Suggests that the relative usage of specific services and service goals confirmed the continuation of the original model.…

Focuses on current knowledge of families' involvement in intensive family preservation services. Identifies gaps in knowledge pertaining to the context of service delivery, the theory of family preservation practice, the process of service delivery, and the conceptualization and meaning of service outcomes. Suggests that gaps might be…