Thesis (M.S.I.S.)--Baylor University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 49).

Virtually every child welfare system has been harshly criticized for the way it treats abused and neglected children. The system has been so problematic for some states that lawsuits have been filed against them. To remedy these problems, system-wide policy reform has received a good deal of attention, but this approach lacks the empirical research needed to move the field forward to better serve children and families. This study answers the question: Does child welfare reform via litigation produce long-term effects on child outcomes and state child welfare budgets after the case is closed? The study employed mixed research methods. The qualitative portion relies on case studies of four states that were developed through a series of in-depth interviews and an extensive historical document analysis. For each state, the study examined 1) the association between litigation and state funding for child welfare systems, 2) examined the relationship between litigation and child outcomes over time, and 3) studied key stakeholders’ perceptions of litigation’s impact on budget and child outcomes. The quantitative portion of the study utilized outcome data that are available for all 50 states to compare states that have undergone comprehensive class action litigation with those that have not. Case studies of 4 states (Alabama, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah) included a qualitative analysis and five major themes emerged: leadership, policy interventions (e.g. budget, data monitoring, legislation), direct interventions (e.g. caseload decreases, trainings, etc.) , settlement agreement characteristics and litigation’s value as a method of reform. A method called Qualitative Comparative Analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes identified from the qualitative analysis that play instrumental roles in impacting outcomes. Findings indicate that litigation appears to positively impact child welfare systems functioning during the lawsuit, but it is difficult to see how these systems changes impact outcomes. Many reforms are difficult to sustain due to their reliance on increased budgets which decline post litigation. Reform is also reliant on supportive leadership, which is subject to frequent turnover. Study participants viewed litigation as effective at garnering attention for problems in the child welfare system, but at a very high cost (e.g. financial, length of time, adversarial environment, etc.). Decreased caseload, increased budget, and effective data collection systems were found to be instrumental in positively impacting outcomes. A faster, less costly and less adversarial method of reform is needed. / text

No description available.

Child welfare social workers are excellent advocates for children in the foster care system. These children can greatly benefit from long lasting relationships as well as long term supportive relationships such as that of a social worker. The researcher took on a positivist approach with an aim to answer the research question “Do factors such as supervision, peer support, and organizational factors have a positive impact on social worker retention at a child welfare agency?” The research site was a foster family agency (FFA) located in the Southern California Inland Empire region. A self-administered survey was provided to participants. The findings demonstrated a strong positive relationship between variables such as supervision and peer support.

This two-study dissertation aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health need identification, service referral process, availability of services, and type of mental health services in Ontario for children who have experienced maltreatment with a specific focus on childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The first study was descriptive and involved an email questionnaire completed by Directors of Service in each of the 53 Ontario Children’s Aid Societies (CAS). While the primary purpose of study 1 was to inform the sample for study 2, it also provided information about the identification of mental health needs and the referral process to mental health services for children who have experienced maltreatment. Based on the finding that the majority of mental health service referrals are made to community-based psychologists (80%), study 2 was designed to assess the availability, type, and empirical support of treatments provided by Ontario psychologists and psychological associates to children who have experienced CSA. Through the first provincial census of child and adolescent psychology clinicians registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, this study addressed the following questions: (1) What are the demographic, work setting, and treatment provision characteristics of these clinicians? (2) Within this population, what is the proportion and distribution of clinicians who provide treatment to children who have experienced CSA?; (3) To what extent do these treatment services map onto empirically-supported treatments (ESTs) for children who have experienced CSA?; and (4) How do clinicians’ demographic, work setting, treatment provision characteristics, and attitudes toward ESTs predict their approach to intervention? Results indicated that clinicians who worked with children who have experienced CSA differed significantly from other clinicians in terms of age, work setting, self-reported theoretical orientation, and clients’ primary presenting problems. Moreover, clinician age, self-reported theoretical orientation, time devoted to clinical training activities, and general attitudes toward ESTs predicted the use of ESTs among clinicians who work with children who have experienced CSA. Limitations and implications for future research are addressed within each study.

This two-study dissertation aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health need identification, service referral process, availability of services, and type of mental health services in Ontario for children who have experienced maltreatment with a specific focus on childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The first study was descriptive and involved an email questionnaire completed by Directors of Service in each of the 53 Ontario Children’s Aid Societies (CAS). While the primary purpose of study 1 was to inform the sample for study 2, it also provided information about the identification of mental health needs and the referral process to mental health services for children who have experienced maltreatment. Based on the finding that the majority of mental health service referrals are made to community-based psychologists (80%), study 2 was designed to assess the availability, type, and empirical support of treatments provided by Ontario psychologists and psychological associates to children who have experienced CSA. Through the first provincial census of child and adolescent psychology clinicians registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, this study addressed the following questions: (1) What are the demographic, work setting, and treatment provision characteristics of these clinicians? (2) Within this population, what is the proportion and distribution of clinicians who provide treatment to children who have experienced CSA?; (3) To what extent do these treatment services map onto empirically-supported treatments (ESTs) for children who have experienced CSA?; and (4) How do clinicians’ demographic, work setting, treatment provision characteristics, and attitudes toward ESTs predict their approach to intervention? Results indicated that clinicians who worked with children who have experienced CSA differed significantly from other clinicians in terms of age, work setting, self-reported theoretical orientation, and clients’ primary presenting problems. Moreover, clinician age, self-reported theoretical orientation, time devoted to clinical training activities, and general attitudes toward ESTs predicted the use of ESTs among clinicians who work with children who have experienced CSA. Limitations and implications for future research are addressed within each study.

Deaf child and his family

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-262).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 262 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-235).

Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 2002. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2955. Typescript. Abstract precedes thesis as 1 preliminary leaf. Includes bibliographical references (leaves ).