Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/KarinMalm

This study follows-up on a prior study of child welfare agencies' efforts to identify, locate, and involve nonresident fathers of children in foster care. These analyses use information from the original survey and administrative data on case outcomes to explore three research questions: (1) Is nonresident father involvement associated with case length? (2) Is nonresident father involvement associated with foster care discharge outcomes? and (3) Is nonresident father involvement associated with subsequent child maltreatment allegations? The study finds that having an involved father is associated with shorter case length and a greater likelihood of reunification. Future research is needed to better understand the nature of nonresident fathers' involvement.

This exploratory study, conducted in Washington, D.C. and New York City, sought to examine foster youths' views of adoption, permanency, and adoption recruitment. Using data collected from focus groups with foster youth, ages 11 to 19, the study raised three important findings: (1) foster care experiences influence youths' perceptions of adoption; (2) youth have concerns and fears about adoption; and (3) youth expect autonomy and want to feel empowered. The study's findings suggest that child welfare agencies and caseworkers may have more to do in terms of educating youth about adoption and other permanency options.

This study, commissioned by the National Adoption Day Coalition, provides a first look at legislation specifically related to the adoption of children from foster care introduced in the 50 state legislatures and the District of Columbia between 2002 and 2006. Using data from various legislative databases, the study found that state legislatures are active in the area of foster care adoption, but that legislation may not adequately address known barriers to adoption. The study also looked at several bills to understand the legislative process surrounding adoption and considered how legislation supports families after they adopt children from foster care.

This exploratory study considered how local jurisdictions in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area address the issue of children caring for themselves in a "self care" child care arrangement and whether some of these situations overlap with child protective services cases. Researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with child welfare staff and law enforcement officials. Reports of suspected child neglect, specifically reports involving inadequate supervision, were also analyzed. Deciding to leave children home alone is a universal decision that all parents must make. Study findings indicate that how localities respond to reports of inadequate supervision vary by the type of cases accepted, response to these cases, factors considered during the investigation, and how the agency serves the families.

Most foster children are not living with their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes. While in foster care these children may experience even less contact with their nonresident fathers. This study examined child welfare practices with respect to identifying, locating, and involving fathers of children in foster care including whether child support resources were used. Local agency caseworkers were interviewed by phone about nearly 2,000 foster children in four study states. The study found that nonresident fathers are not often involved in case planning and nearly half were never contacted by the child welfare agency.

This report summarizes major findings from our work on family violence for the United Way of Central New Mexico (UWCNM). "Family violence" includes violence between intimate partners (spouses, cohabiting couples, dating couples) and between adult family members and children. We identified the current availability of and significant gaps in services and supports for victims of family violence in the UWCNM service area. We were also alert to the opportunities to develop a coordinated community response to family violence that helps current victims and works to reduce and ultimately eliminate violence among family members. Based on these findings, and drawing on our knowledge of programs and approaches that work in other communities, the report presents suggestions and opportunities on which UWCNM and its community partners could act to achieve their goals.

This policy brief provides data that suggest that many, if not most, foster care children in the United States were not living with their father at the time they were removed from their home. The brief also examines data on whether noncustodial fathers had contact with their child or contributed to the child's support. Legislative and policy changes in child welfare and child support programs are discussed within the context of identifying and locating fathers of foster children to expedite permanent placements for these children or as a means of providing opportunities for increased father involvement.

In most states child welfare agencies use voluntary kinship arrangements on a fairly limited basis when caseworkers believe that children face low risk of abuse or neglect. One of the four states studied, Alabama, is representative of a handful of states nationwide that use voluntary kinship care whenever possible. None of the states studied has clear policies, procedures, or guidance on when and how to rely on voluntary kinship care. Agencies face many challenges with regard to these arrangements including when and how to remain involved with a family. They also must determine when and how to provide assistance to voluntary kinship caregivers who seek support from the system.

This review summarizes existing literature and knowledge about noncustodial fathers in general and, in particular, how child welfare agencies identify, locate, and involve noncustodial fathers in casework when their children are in foster care.

Federal and state governments are seeking to improve the child welfare system by increasing oversight and making agencies more accountable for outcomes. Installation of new information systems increases accountability. New initiatives, such as alternative response systems, structured decision making, and family group decision making, are efforts to respond to ongoing concerns about the quality of the child welfare system. Some states report increased staff allocations, but most cite difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff. Front-line caseworkers report new, added responsibilities, with more emphasis on documentation and clerical work, less decision making authority, and less time to spend with children and families.

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