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Representing The Educational Experiences Of Black Girls In A Juvenile Court School, Monique W. Morris Ed.D.

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Multiple, intersecting factors contribute to the over-representation of youth of color, including Black girls, in the juvenile justice system, and specifically, in confinement. This study examined the self-identified, educational experiences of Northern California Black girls in confinement. This phenomenological study found that Black girls in trouble with the law experience a history of exclusionary discipline and poor relationships with schools that are exacerbated by the absence of a learning environment in confinement that emphasizes their ability to build positive relationships with teachers and each other. The study also found that the use of exclusionary discipline was heightened in the juvenile …

Strategies For Practice In Helping Fathers Step Up To The Plate And Stay Engaged, Joshua Kirven

Journal of Family Strengths

In times of stress or crisis for families, one effective approach practitioners can use is the conceptual framework of family strengths as a mechanism to promote strong, healthy relationships. The purpose of this article is to familiarize practitioners with the family strengths perspective and encourage them to incorporate family strengths into working with fathers. Clinical impressions will be discussed, including introducing Holistic Integration Techniques (HIT), along with other intervention strategies for practitioners implement. The concept of family strengths has been studied for several decades and describes a family that functions optimally in support of the individual members, including fathers. When …

Development And Evaluation Of The Family Asset Builder: A New Child Protective Services Intervention To Address Chronic Neglect, Tyler W. Corwin, Erin J. Maher, Monica Idzelis Rothe, Maggie Skrypek, Caren Kaplan, Dan Koziolek, Brenda Mahoney

Journal of Family Strengths

Over the past 20 years, neglect has been the most pervasive form of child maltreatment in the United States, affecting more than half a million children annually. Further, neglect is more likely than other forms of maltreatment to occur repeatedly within child welfare-involved families. Children experiencing neglect, especially early in childhood and with regularity, face long-term deleterious effects on their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Despite the ubiquity of neglect throughout child welfare and the potentially devastating consequences, interventions designed to target families chronically reported to Child Protective Services (CPS) for neglect are scant. The Family Asset Builder intervention …

Effects Of Peer Recovery Coaches On Substance Abuse Treatment Engagement Among Child Welfare-Involved Parents, Stephen James, Richard Rivera, Michael S. Shafer

Journal of Family Strengths

There is a limited, but growing body of research on the effectiveness of peer recovery coaches in promoting treatment engagement, retention, and completion among child welfare-involved parents with substance use disorders. A quasi-experimental design was employed using propensity score matching to examine treatment engagement and treatment completion among child welfare-involved substance abusing parents who were exposed to either peer recovery coach engagement services or professional, non-peer engagement services. Using propensity scoring, the comparison sample of parents that did not have peer recovery coaches was statistically matched on the presence of substance exposed newborns, parental use of methamphetamine, and other predictors …

Design Teams As An Organizational Intervention To Improve Job Satisfaction And Worker Turnover In Public Child Welfare, Nancy Claiborne, Charles Auerbach, Catherine Lawrence, Brenda Mcgowan, Hal Lawson, Mary Mccarthy, Jessica Strolin-Goltzman, James Caringi

Journal of Family Strengths

This study focuses on the field test of a design team intervention in two rural and one urban site experiencing high workforce turnover. Hypothesis 1: Job satisfaction is significantly improved among public child welfare workers participating in the Design Team intervention. Hypothesis 2: Job satisfaction is significantly related to lower turnover in public child welfare workers participating in the Design Team intervention. The Design Team is an externally facilitated intervention in which team members consist of caseworkers and supervisors representing all services provided by the agency. The facilitator uses a formal logic model and team building expertise to guide the …

A National Survey Of Parent Support Legislation And Regulations, Nancy P. Correa, Bethanie Van Horne, Bracewell & Giuliani Llp, Christopher Greeley, Angelo P. Giardino

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Introduction: Parent education has a positive impact on children, parents, families, and the community. CHILDREN AT RISK and Bracewell & Giuliani LLP conducted a policy scan of state statutes regarding parent education.

Methodology: To identify state statutes that address parent education, we conducted a search of statutes in all 50 states using keywords and the online legal research systems. After all state-level policies were ascertained, we selected the most relevant statutes to parent education and identified major themes.

Results: The policy scan identified statutes regarding non-mandated parent education in 40 out of the 50 states. Common themes include: home visitation …

Commentary On "Early Lessons Learned From Building Local Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems In Texas", Lashonda Brown

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

To provide commentary on the original research article, “Early Lessons Learned from Building Local Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems in Texas” by Cynthia Osborne (University of Texas at Austin), Kaeley C. Bobbitt (University of Texas at Austin), Jill M. Boelter (University of Texas at Austin), Tracy K. Ayrhart(Women's Health & Family Planning Association of Texas). Research emphasizes the importance of early childhood comprehensive systems (ECCS) that are tailored to respond to and meet the needs of the families living in low income communities and its impact on preparing children for success. Children who have positive early childhood experiences are set on …

The Path To Effective Child Maltreatment Prevention Strategies, Philip V. Scribano

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

The burden of child maltreatment in the U.S. remains a substantial problem with life-course implications, yet systematic efforts to prevent its occurrence and the associated impairments have been limited. The review of universal and targeted child maltreatment prevention interventions to address child physical abuse by Nelson and Caplan provide a thoughtful critique of the child maltreatment prevention efforts and a recognition of the importance of developing a public health framework to address this problem. An overriding prevention strategy should be derived from a systems level approach, which embraces the socio-ecological, and public health frameworks (with integration of policy and practice). …

An Innovative Collective Parent Engagement Model For Families And Neighborhoods In Arrival Cities, Tania Alameda-Lawson, Michael A. Lawson, Hal A. Lawson

Journal of Family Strengths

Arrival Cities are special urban places. Amid the largest migration in human history, they provide homes for large numbers of mobile, low-income, immigrant families. These families need new human service and child welfare service models. Collective parent engagement (CPE) is one such model. CPE is designed to build on the strengths and meet the needs of immigrant families living in Arrival City neighborhoods. In contrast to interventions focused on individual parents, this CPE model mobilizes groups of parents; and with a dual agenda. CPE develops much-needed “anchoring supports” for mobile, vulnerable families, at the same time that it positions local …

Using State Wide Child And Family Services Review Data To Analyze Policies To Improve Educational Outcomes Of Children In Foster Care, Corie G. Hebert

Journal of Family Strengths

The poor educational outcomes of foster children is recognized as a national problem. The literature is reviewed to define and illustrate the magnitude of the problem. Steps have been taken to improve the problem with passage of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008; it requires states to ensure the educational stability of foster youth. A description of utilizing state level Child and Family Service Review data to analyze a state’s ability to comply with the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 is provided.

Strengths-Based Supervision: Supporting Implementation Of Family-Centered Practice Through Supervisory Processes, Cynthia A. Lietz

Journal of Family Strengths

Strengths-Based Supervision (SBS) is a model of supervision that was developed for child welfare settings. The model integrates several supervisory processes that are conducted with the primary focus of supporting effective implementation of Family-Centered Practice (FCP). The model was developed in one southwestern state in 2008 and has since been adopted by other public child welfare systems and by private, non-profit settings. The purpose of this article is to describe the model and offer implications for practice.

The Familial Union Between Caregivers And The Juvenile Justice System, Joshua T. Baldwin, Wesley Church, Tracy Wharton

Journal of Family Strengths

This research describes an initial exploration of the phenomenon of caregivers’ learning of their child’s detention, an area of exploration that has little previous attention in the literature. This initial exploration was rooted in a desire to gain an understanding of the caregiver’s experience with both their family member (adjudicated juvenile) and the criminal justice system. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used in this study to gain rich understanding into the lived experiences shared by twelve caregivers of youth being adjudicated in the juvenile justice system. Two overarching themes emerged from the data: 1) the system, with communication, fairness, and …

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Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

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Highlighting The Importance Of Researching Family Homelessness, Ronald E. Hallett, William G. Tierney

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

This invited commentary responds to and builds upon Tobin and Murphy's article, “Addressing the Challenges of Child and Family Homelessness.” In affirming the ideas emerging from this article, Hallett and Tierney provide three points of extension: (1) more research needs to be conducted with doubled-up families; (2) the role of shame needs further exploration; and, (3) additional work needs to be done to increase access to postsecondary institutions.

Nothing About Us Without Us! The Failure Of The Modern Juvenile Justice System And A Call For Community-Based Justice, Charisa Smith Esq.

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

The modern juvenile justice system is failing our society. A literature review reveals resounding criticism of the system at all points—arrest, court processing, and incarceration. The current system does not effectively reduce recidivism, is wrought with racial disparities, operates with a minimal degree of cultural competence, violates human rights norms, and fails to empower and reform individuals who are directly affected. The current system shatters social bonds and does not hold governmental agencies accountable for wrongdoing or ineffectiveness. Community-based approaches more effectively reduce crime, cost less, are more empowering and culturally competent, help ameliorative civic fragmentation, and are more socially …

Child Maltreatment Prevention – Finding Common Ground With Unintentional Injury Prevention, Rohit Shenoi, Christopher Greeley, Angelo P. Giardino

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Child Maltreatment Prevention – Finding Common Ground with Unintentional Injury Prevention

Exploring The Benefits Of A Parent Partner Mentoring Program In Child Welfare, Robin Leake, Laricia Longworth-Reed, Natalie Williams, Cathryn Potter

Journal of Family Strengths

Parent partner mentoring programs are an innovative strategy for child welfare agencies to engage families in case planning and service delivery. These programs recruit and train parents who have been involved in the system and have successfully resolved identified child abuse or neglect issues to work with families with current open cases in the child welfare system. Parent partner mentors can provide social and emotional support, advocacy, and practical advice for navigating this challenging system. Insofar as parent partners share similar experiences, and cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of families, they may be more successful in engaging families and building trusting …

The Children’S Bureau’S Role In Promoting Parent Engagement And Family Support: A Brief History And Current Efforts, Melissa Brodowski, Liliana Hernandez, Angelique Brown, Christine Lamble

Journal of Family Strengths

Over the years, federal child welfare policy has supported parent engagement and family support strategies through various Children’s Bureau funded state formula grant programs, research and demonstration discretionary grants, and technical assistance. This article highlights programs funded by two federal laws, Promoting Safe and Stable Families and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and Children’s Bureau’s efforts to test innovations and disseminate knowledge about promising and evidence-based practices regarding parent engagement and family support. The article begins with a brief legislative history and then describes several grant programs that are supported by the legislation. The article concludes with lessons …

A Legacy Of Reform And Innovation: Celebrating The Children's Bureau Centennial, Nancy Claiborne, Katharine Briar-Lawson

Journal of Family Strengths

Guest Editors Nancy Claiborne and Katharine Briar-Lawson introduce the latest issue of Journal of Family Strengths, celebrating the centennial of the Children's Bureau.

Fathering Behavior Within The Context Of Role Expectations And Marital Satisfaction: Framework For Studying Fathering Behavior, Mark Trahan, Monit Cheung

Journal of Family Strengths

A father’s participation in a child’s life has been regarded as a significant factor in the enhancement of a couple’s relationship. Although the investigations between paternal behavior and marital satisfaction come with mixed results, they clearly link the concepts of maternal and paternal role expectations to paternal behavior, which can be also moderated by earner status, child’s gender, and traditional versus contemporary role expectations. Research needs to focus on examining how individuals’ perceptions of role expectations relate to fathers’ actual parenting behavior. Therefore, a framework that outlines the interaction between and among these variables is developed, as supported by recent …

Professional Social Workers In The Child Welfare Workforce: Findings From Nasw, Tracy R. Whitaker

Journal of Family Strengths

The U.S. Children’s Bureau has historically recognized the significance of the child welfare workforce in improving the lives of children, youth and families, as well as the important role of social work within that workforce. Although the public may perceive the child welfare workforce as being predominantly comprised of social workers; in fact, fewer than half of child welfare workers have a social work degree. This discrepancy has been attributed to professional shortages, workplace conditions, caseload size and complexity, and low salaries. However, studies initiated by the National Association of Social Workers have found that the profession continues to successfully …

Commentary On "Child Welfare Workers’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of The Organizational Environment On Permanency Decisions For Families", Eileen R. Giardino

Journal of Family Strengths

Invited commentary on "Child Welfare Workers’ Perceptions of the Influence of the Organizational Environment on Permanency Decisions for Families".

Child Welfare Waivers: The Stakes For Families, Richard Wexler

Journal of Family Strengths

Congress has restored the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue “waivers” from rules restricting the use of some funds under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The waivers allow funds now restricted to foster care to be used for prevention, family preservation and other services as well. This paper discusses the benefits of waivers and estimates the amount of money that a waiver would cover in each state.

A Multidisciplinary Team Experience With Food Insecurity & Failure To Thrive, Hans B. Kersten, David Bennett

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Food insecurity (FI) affects millions of people in the United States and is associated with medical problems, as well as poorer physical and emotional-behavioral adjustment. Failure to thrive is a condition where children fail to gain an appropriate amount of weight, and it can cause long-term effects on cognitive and psychomotor development. While the extent to which FI may contribute to FTT is unclear, FI may contribute both directly through inadequate caloric or nutrient intake and indirectly through increased family stress, parental depression and a chaotic family environment. We present an overview of how FI and FTT may interact, followed …

Commentary On "Practitioners’ Views Of Family Strengths: A Delphi Study", John Ronnau

Journal of Family Strengths

Commentary on "Practitioners’ Views of Family Strengths: A Delphi Study"

Commentary On "An Examination Of The Contextual Environment Of Families With Sexually Abused Adolescents", Monit Cheung, Jacquelynn Duron

Journal of Family Strengths

The focus of this article is on the role of family in adolescent outcomes when sexual abuse has occurred. The authors identify environmental factors for promoting well-being among adolescents. Two hypotheses aim to examine the systemic influence on adolescents who have been sexually abused, with regard to: 1) mesosystemic barriers (i.e., low levels of school engagement and peer relationships), and 2) exosystemic risk factors (i.e., low levels of social support, socioeconomic status, and community safety, as well as large community size).

Child Welfare Workers’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of The Organizational Environment On Permanency Decisions For Families, Belinda Smith, Rhonda Wells-Wilbon

Journal of Family Strengths

The findings of this study suggest that while child welfare workers are consistently distracted by competing priorities from unexpected events, most are committed, and to understand perspectives is more inclusive and may improve retention rates. Notably, while it is recognized that permanency decisions are not made in an intellectual, legal or clinical vacuum and certain traditional aspects of the bureaucratic structure do not impact decision making, this study advances the body of knowledge on child welfare decision making. Examined in this study are child welfare case workers’ perceptions of the extent to which the organizational environment influences the permanency decisions …

Runaway And Throwaway Youth: Time For Policy Changes And Public Responsibility, Ira Colby

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

The traditional American dream of owning a home, obtaining a college education, and working at a good, paying job is only that, a dream, for scores of homeless youth in America today. There is a growing street population of young people who have been thrown out of their homes by their caretakers or their families, and who face life-threatening situations each day. For these youth, the furthest thing in their lives is reaching the so-called “American Dream;” and their most immediate need is survival, simply living out the day in front of them.  They have few options that lead to …

Relationships, Income Support And Decision Making: A Qualitative Synopsis, Angie Logan, Kevin Meir

Journal of Family Strengths

This qualitative study of one midwestern state’s child protective services addresses whether an income support measure for poor biological caregivers reduces the length of time that their children spend in foster care. The overall findings suggest that workers do value the worker-family relationship. However, some view the immediate worker-client relationship as secondary to the inclusion of extended familial supports particularly as related to sustained more long-term outcome achievement. Most workers additionally agree that client involvement during all phases of the reunification process is critical.

Family Preservation: The Parents’ Perceptions, Cheryl D. Lee, Cecilia Ayon

Journal of Family Strengths

This research documents the perspective of 100 parents who had an open case with the Department of Children and Family Service’s (DCFS) regarding their family’s well-being, reasons for referral and satisfaction with services. Two DCFS services, Family Preservation (FP) and routine Family Maintenance (FM) were examined using standardized instruments. Parents’ responses regarding reasons for involvement with the system differed from DCFS administrative data. FP parents had more children, were more likely to be monolingual Spanish speakers, and perceived greater improvement in discipline and emotional care of children and housing than FM parents. FP parents reported being satisfied with services. Implications …