NCJ Number
228647
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 33 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 598-611
Date Published
September 2009
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the developmental and behavioral status of children in child welfare (CW) over time, by intensity of CW involvement using a national probability sample.
Abstract
Across domains, the intensity of CW involvement does not appear to have a significant effect on change in developmental and behavioral status, although out-of-home care does have differential relationships with children's developmental/cognitive status for those with very low initial cognitive/development status. Improving both in-home and out-of-home care environments may have the greatest effect on improving the well-being of children known to CW. With the increasing attention being given to the development and well-being of children in contact with CW, a significant issue is the degree to which foster care itself facilitates or hinders the development of young children removed from their homes. This study used data from a nationally representative sample of children in contact with United States CW agencies due to allegations of abuse or neglect to compare changes in developmental and behavioral status for young children in both in-home and out-of-home care. The study had several objectives: (1) to examine whether there were changes in developmental and behavioral status for children in CW over time; (2) to examine differences in these changes based on intensity of CW involvement; and (3) to examine other predictors of change in status over time. Tables, figure, and references