The current study identified factors that played a significant role in decisions to separate a child from his/her primary caretakers for 51 social service caseworkers. Participants rated and ranked the importance of 35 child risk/well-being factors used in recent child separation dispositions. Results indicated that boundary setting with a perpetrator of abuse and parental motivation played a significant role in decision-making. These preliminary findings suggest the need to prioritize services aimed at the promotion of the non-maltreating parentÕs limit setting with the perpetrator of abuse, as well as caretaker motivation/cooperation.
Objective: Two experiments were conducted in connection with training caseworkers of a state child protection agency to manage visits between parents and their children in foster care. Method: In the first experiment, the skills involved in managing visits were identified and assessed with two caseworkers. Results: These caseworkers subsequently participated in an individual training program that improved their ability to manage visits as assessed in role-play. In the second experiment, modifications in the training program were made to allow for group training. The group training program was as effective as individual training at enabling two caseworkers and their supervisor to conduct visits. However, data collected during actual visits were limited; they suggested that the effects of training did not fully generalize. Conclusion: The implications of the research for policy and current litigation in the area of child welfare were discussed.
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