Use of Assessment Information in Decision-Making by Child Protective Service Workers

Rowena Fong
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Social Work
1 University Station D3500
Austin, TX 78759
512 471-1393
512 471-9600 (fax)
rfong@mail.utexas.edu
 
James Schwab
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Social Work
1 University Station D3500
Austin, TX 78759
 
Shanti Kulkarni
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Social Work
1 University Station D3500
Austin, TX 78759
 
Eunju Lee
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Social Work
1 University Station D3500
Austin, TX 78759
 
Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine what kinds of information were useful to child protective service workers in making decisions in cases of children traumatized by abuse or neglect.  A computer-based, comprehensive assessment model was developed which included medical, history of trauma, social/family, cognitive/academic, emotional/behavioral, and developmental information. This was a pilot project and the research questions were a part of a larger, mixed-method study funded by a state department of human services agency in the southwest to determine whether or not the assessment model improved the quality of case decision-making sufficiently to warrant statewide implementation.

Methods: Thirteen participants, six supervisors and seven case workers, were questioned in in-depth interviews about the usefulness of the composite information developed for infant, young child, child, adolescent, and family assessments and gathered from face to face CPS contact, standardized psychological instruments, and a semi-structured interview with clinical staff. Questions for analysis covered helpfulness in discerning the developmental needs of the infant/child/adolescent; comprehensive in the areas related to family history, and inclusiveness in background information related to culture and ethnicity. All responses were transcribed, coded, and verified for common themes and disconfirming information.

Results: The findings revealed the comprehensive information was helpful in making decisions for children and adolescents, but needed more information in making decisions for infants. More diagnostic and prognostic information about client functioning was needed from the family assessments. Information on client’s ethnicity and race needed to be integrated into the assessment process.

Implications for Practice:  While this study supports the literature that comprehensive assessments are necessary (Pecora, Maluccio, Barth, Whittaker, & Plotnick, 2000), it also indicates there are still targeted areas in child welfare such as infant development and diversity factors that still need attention.