Caseworker Visitation After Reunification and Children's Reentry Into Foster Care: A Survival Analysis.

To prevent children from reentering the welfare system, it is crucial to understand the role of caseworker visits after reunification on reentry and identify the factors related to reentry. Utilizing the administrative data of one Mid-Atlantic state, children who reunified with their families between July 2016 and June 2020 were selected as the study sample (N = 3,510). Reentry rates were higher for children who did not have caseworker visits after reunification than for those who did. The survival analysis revealed that male children, living in metropolitan areas, having a prior history of removal, having a behavioral issue, and court-ordered return increased the risk of reentry, while Black children, older children, having a last placement as trial home visit, and caseworker visits after reunification decreased the risk of reentry. The study suggests formally outlining policies for post-reunification caseworker visits and increasing collaboration between the child welfare system and court system.

Pilot Trial of a Peer-to-Peer Psychoeducational Intervention for Parents of Black Children Awaiting a Developmental Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the short-term impact on child, family, and parent outcomes of a peer-to-peer psychoeducational intervention, Parents Taking Action (PTA) for Black families of children awaiting developmental-behavioral pediatric evaluations. METHODS: We targeted parents and other primary caregivers of Black children aged 8 years or younger awaiting a developmental or autism evaluation at an academic tertiary care hospital. Using a single-arm design, we recruited participants directly from the appointment waitlist and used flyers in local pediatric and subspecialty clinics. Eligible participants received a version of PTA adapted for Black children in two 6-week modules delivered synchronously online. In addition to initial baseline demographic data, we collected 4 standardized measures of parent stress and depression, family outcomes (e.g., advocacy), and child behavior at preintervention, midintervention, and postintervention. We calculated effect sizes and used linear mixed models to examine changes over time. RESULTS: Fifteen participants completed PTA, the majority of whom were Black mothers with annual household incomes <$50,000. All children were Black and mostly boys, with an average age of 4.6 years. Parent depression, the family outcome total score, and 3 family outcomes (understanding child's strengths, needs, and abilities; knowing rights and advocating for child; and helping child develop and learn) significantly improved pre-post intervention, with medium to large effect sizes. Furthermore, the family outcome total score and "knowing rights and advocating for child" outcome significantly increased by midintervention ( d = 0.62-0.80). CONCLUSION: Peer-delivered interventions can result in positive outcomes for families awaiting diagnostic evaluations. Further research is needed to confirm findings.

Association Between State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Policies, Child Protective Services Involvement, and Foster Care in the US, 2004-2016.

Importance: Public assistance policies may play a role in preventing child maltreatment by improving household resources among families of low incomes. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the largest public assistance programs in the US. However, the association of state SNAP policy options to Child Protective Services (CPS) outcomes has not been rigorously examined. Objective: To model the association of state SNAP policies with changes in CPS and foster care outcomes in the US over time. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used panel data to examine the association between SNAP policy options and study outcomes from 2004 to 2016 for 50 US states and the District of Columbia in 2-way fixed-effects regression models. The count of SNAP policies was used as an instrument for SNAP caseloads in instrumental variables models. Data analysis was conducted in November 2021. Exposures: The adoption of 1 or more state SNAP income generosity policies that improves or stabilizes household resources for SNAP participants. Main Outcomes and Measures: Reports of child maltreatment accepted for CPS investigation, children in substantiated reports, and children receiving foster care services for all forms of maltreatment, and specifically for child neglect per 100 000 child population. Results: The mean (SD) number of SNAP income generosity policies increased from 1.47 (0.95) in 2004 to 2.37 (0.94) in 2010, to 2.49 (0.86) in 2016 across states; the median increased from 1 to 3 (range, 0-4) over the same period. A count of state income generosity policies was associated with large reductions in reports accepted for CPS investigation (-352.6 per 100 000 children; 95% CI, -557.1 to -148.2). Income generosity policy was associated with -94.8 (95% CI, -155.6 to -34.0) fewer substantiated reports and -77.0 (95% CI, -125.4 to -28.6) fewer reports substantiated for neglect per 100 000. Each additional income generosity policy adopted by a state was associated with -45.1 (95% CI, -71.6 to -18.5) to -42.3 (95% CI, -64.8 to -19.8) fewer total foster care placements per 100 000 children. Conclusions and Relevance: State SNAP policies that improve and stabilize household resources appear to be associated with reductions in CPS involvement and use of foster care. The number of policies implemented had cumulative outcomes beyond individual policy outcomes.