NCJ Number
242433
Date Published
September 2011
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This longitudinal study identified the risk factors for delinquency among children receiving child protection services (CPS) in Los Angeles County, CA, and constructed a screening assessment that classifies children with an open child-protection-services case file by the likelihood of future delinquency.
Abstract
This retrospective validation study succeeded in constructing an actuarial assessment that accurately classifies children by the likelihood of subsequent delinquency. The delinquency screening assessment is composed of 10 items that address prior CPS history, child demographics, and child and family characteristics. These 10 items are summed to produce an overall classification that indicates the risk of future delinquency. All of the assessment items had a strong relationship to subsequent delinquency and are already part of a caseworker's regular and systematic evaluation of child safety and risk. Delinquency outcome rates were higher for children 12 years old and older. Black/African-American children were arrested and adjudicated at rates higher than Hispanic/Latino and White/Caucasian children; however, White/Caucasian children were more likely to be adjudicated than were Hispanic/Latino children following arrest. Males had higher rates of subsequent arrest and adjudication than did females in the study. Children with prior CPS involvement had higher outcome rates than did children without a prior CPS history. Children living in homes where a prior injury resulted from child abuse or neglect also had higher subsequent arrest and adjudication rates; and children with mental health/behavioral problems were more likely to have subsequent arrests and/or adjudication than children without these issues. The study matched the administrative and structured assessment data of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (LA DCFS) to arrest and adjudication records obtained from the Los Angeles County Probation Department (LA CPD). Extensive tabular data, references, and appended risk assessment and needs assessment items, delinquency screening assessment item analysis, addition sample information, and delinquency screening assessment-item definitions