Differential Response and the Reduction of Child Maltreatment and Foster Care Services Utilization in the U.S. From 2004 to 2017

Abstract

By 2014, the majority of U.S. states had implemented differential response (DR), a system policy that seeks to serve families of low-to moderate-risk for child maltreatment through family engagement, diversion from formal child protective services investigations, and service provision. However, the effects of DR programs on child welfare dynamics have yet to be evaluated nationally using causal methods. Using a quasi-experimental study design with data drawn from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System from 2004 to 2017, we found states with DR programs had approximately 19% fewer substantiated reports, 25% fewer children substantiated for neglect, and a 17% reduction in foster care services utilization when compared to states without DR programs. We find these estimates to be robust to the opioid epidemic and incarceration rates. Additional research is needed to better characterize DR programs and isolate the effects of DR programs geographically.

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

“…Differential response is a CPS reform associated with child welfare caseload reductions. 31 Therefore, we adjusted for the presence of differential response programs and other sources of variation in child welfare system policies and practices between states in all analyses (eMethods in the Supplement ). In robustness checks we adjusted for state-funded cash assistance programs and the US opioid epidemic, which have been associated with child welfare caseload dynamics in past studies.…”

“…In addition, race and ethnicity and nativity have been associated with disparities in study outcomes in past research; therefore, we controlled for share of immigrants, Asian persons, non-Hispanic Black persons, persons of other races, and share of Hispanic persons of any race following census definitions. Differential response is a CPS reform associated with child welfare caseload reductions . Therefore, we adjusted for the presence of differential response programs and other sources of variation in child welfare system policies and practices between states in all analyses (eMethods in the Supplement).…”

African American children in the child welfare system.

“…Similarly, differential (or alternative) response (DR) programs provide the option of receiving services without having a formal CPS investigation response or without courts making a formal determination of substantiated abuse for families of low to moderate risk "screened into" child welfare. DR programs entail assessment of family needs and the provision of a continuum of services (including parenting, mental health, and substance abuse interventions; Johnson-Motoyama et al, 2023). Recent studies have found that the delivery of DR programs is associated with lower maltreatment substantiation and foster care placement (Johnson-Motoyama et al, 2023;Loman & Siegel, 2015).…”

“…DR programs entail assessment of family needs and the provision of a continuum of services (including parenting, mental health, and substance abuse interventions; Johnson-Motoyama et al, 2023). Recent studies have found that the delivery of DR programs is associated with lower maltreatment substantiation and foster care placement (Johnson-Motoyama et al, 2023;Loman & Siegel, 2015). However, in one study (Choi et al, 2021), children of color were less likely to be assigned to differential/alternative response programs than were White children, particularly if they were neglected.…”

Seeking a Balanced View of Child Protective Services

“…More than half the states now apply this model, largely replacing the traditional investigation with an assessment of what a family needs, to most cases of neglect and less-severe physical abuse. The overall response of professionals and families suggests that this is a more constructive approach without increased recidivism and placements into foster care, compared with states without differential response …”