Predictors of family preservation outcomes and child welfare success in Colorado

Child Welfare. 2012;91(4):41-59.

Abstract

A sample of 4,589 Colorado child welfare cases that closed between October 2007 and September 2009 was analyzed. All cases involved child abuse or neglect. Permanency and follow-up outcomes were scored using a methodology developed for the study. Scores were used to create an ordinal measure of success for the case. A cumulative logit statistical model examined the relationship between the newly-developed ordinal success measure and six predictor variables: number of caregivers, risk of abuse, poverty, risk of neglect, age of primary caregiver, and substance abuse issues. Case profiles are provided. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Caregivers / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / prevention & control
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Child Welfare / statistics & numerical data*
  • Colorado / epidemiology
  • Family*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foster Home Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Young Adult