Rural Families' Connections to Services in an Alternative Response System

Abstract

Alternative response systems, which address low-risk cases of child maltreatment, are based on three assumptions: that services are available, that services are accessible, and that service networks develop to connect families to services. This article examines whether the nature of rural areas challenges these assumptions. Findings from a qualitative study of families' connections to services in alternative response systems conducted in an urban and rural county in two states, Oklahoma and Kentucky, suggest that these systems operate differently in rural areas. While few service gaps exist, service providers may lack the capacity needed to serve clients, and transportation barriers make service access more challenging. Yet, service providers use the small nature of rural areas to develop tight-knit networks to better serve these families.

Multiple Response System: Evaluation of Policy Change in North Carolina's Child Welfare System

“…Most studies of differential response systems have focused on specific states and have identified some positive effects on child safety/recidivism, family engagement and satisfaction, provision of services, and social worker satisfaction (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2008; Zielewski & Macomber, 2007). Among the most extensively studied state systems are Missouri, Minnesota and North Carolina (Waldfogel, 2009).…”

“…One factor that may affect the success of differential response initiatives is the underlying assumption that if CPS identifies family needs, effective community services to address these needs are readily available (Zielewski & Macomber, 2007). Where services are not adequate or accessible, CPS identification of family needs will not be sufficient to set families on a path toward better outcomes.…”

“…Where services are not adequate or accessible, CPS identification of family needs will not be sufficient to set families on a path toward better outcomes. This assumption may be of particular relevance in rural communities, as evidenced by a qualitative study by Zielewski and Macomber (2007) that examined service availability, service access and service networks associated with differential response systems in rural and urban communities within two states: Kentucky and Oklahoma. Researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with CPS staff, community-based service providers and families within two counties (one rural, one urban) in each of the states.…”

Community Factors in Differential Responses of Child Protective Services

“…Transportation issues were particularly acute in the rural counties (Zielewski & Macomber, 2007;Zielewski et al, 2006).…”

“…Findings also suggested that increased contact with CPS worker and increased length of service delivery contributed to decreased re-reporting (Siegel & Loman, 2006). Zielewski and Macomber (2007) noted that DR systems are based on assumptions that services are available and accessible and that families connect to services through service networks. A small study of DR in one urban and one rural county each in Oklahoma and Kentucky identified service network infrastructure, service availability, referral and follow-up processes, approaches to families, and service facilitators as factors that could affect families' connections to services (Zielewski, Macomber, Bess, & Murray, 2006).…”