This summary report of a 2-year study of independent adoptions (without agencies) conducted by the Child Welfare League of America Research Center briefly describes the findings on the risks involved for the children and the adoptive and biological parents, relevant state laws, and agency policies that tend to turn away adoptive applications. (CM)

Articulates how the family support movement emerged in the last 20 years, and describes the philosophical premises, principles, and practices that currently guide it. Considers the inability of current family support program typologies to guide outcome evaluations, and introduces a typology that deconstructs family support programs into their…

The purposes of this national study of independent, nonagency adoptions were: (1) to determine the experience of the parties involved (biological parents, adoptive parents, agencies, intermediaries, and law enforcement agents); (2) to identify agency policies, procedures and resources that deter agency adoptions and thus encourage independent…

Describes the Personal Responsibility Act (HR 4) as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and considered by the Senate. Argues that unless this act is radically altered the potential effects for child protection and the entire child welfare system could be catastrophic. (MDM)

Same-sex marriage, barely on the political radar a decade ago, is a reality in America. How will it affect the well-being of children? Some observers worry that legalizing same-sex marriage would send the message that same-sex parenting and opposite-sex parenting are interchangeable, when in fact they may lead to different outcomes for children.…

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…

This book reports a study of the outcomes of home-based family preservation services for abusive and neglectful families in Los Angeles County. Using the Family Assessment Form, the research project evaluated services provided by two voluntary agencies, and focused on changes in family functioning between the opening and closing of services during…

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)

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…

Foster homes have traditionally been considered transitional homes, where children receive good care for a limited time period. However, in recent years, many children have been drifting in foster care. Child welfare agencies are using new criteria for evaluating services, including the 1970s permanency planning idea--asserting the importance of…