What Will Happen to This Child If I Report? Outcomes of Reporting Child Maltreatment

Cross, Theodore P.; Goulet, Betsy P.; Helton, Jesse J.; Lux, Emily; Fuller, Tamara

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9685-9_20

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…According to the USDHHS report, in 2015 approximately 41% of referrals to CPS were screened out. However, Cross Goulet, Helton, Lux, and Fuller (2015) found that a report, even if unsubstantiated, often leads to service delivery and may have a positive impact; similar observations have been made by other researchers (Drake, 1996; Drake & Jonson-Reid, 2007, 2015; Kohl et al, 2009).…”

Section: Recommendations For Training Programs and Practitionerssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Many mandated reporters fear that reporting child abuse results in a rigorous response. However, it is more likely that in the majority of cases, the response is limited (Cross, Goulet, Helton, Lux, & Fuller, 2015). According to the USDHHS report, in 2015 approximately 41% of referrals to CPS were screened out.…”

Section: Recommendations For Training Programs and Practitionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Legal and clinical guidelines for making a child maltreatment report.

Kenny

Abreu

Marchena

et al. 2017

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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Psychologists' role as mandated reporters of child maltreatment is an important responsibility. This article will provide direction to psychologists in interpreting state laws as well as practical and clinical guidance when confronted with making a report of child abuse. A review of the U.S. laws on child maltreatment reporting as they pertain to psychologists is provided. Psychologists will be guided through the process of making a report and how to handle this responsibility professionally and clinically. Important considerations are discussed with regard to psychologists maintaining compliance with their legal responsibilities and protecting children from harm. Recommendations for future training are provided. Public Significance StatementThis article offers direction to psychologists in interpreting state laws related to abuse reporting. Additionally, it provides practical and clinical guidance for psychologists when confronted with making a report of child abuse. This is especially relevant as it is highly likely that psychologists will come into contact with victims and their families as part of their professional work.

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Section: Recommendations For Training Programs and Practitionerssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Recommendations For Training Programs and Practitionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legal and clinical guidelines for making a child maltreatment report.

Kenny

Abreu

Marchena

et al. 2017

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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show abstract

“…Previous research has linked evidence to CPS substantiation of maltreatment (Cross & Casanueva, 2009) and found that the likelihood of prosecution of child maltreatment was greater for older child victims (Brewer, Rowe, & Brewer, 1997; Cross, DeVos, & Whitcomb, 1994; Finkelhor, 1983; Tjaden & Thoennes, 1992). Reports from mandated reporters may be more likely to be criminally investigated because they are likely to have more information available to make decisions about an allegation (Cross, Goulet, Helton, Lux, & Fuller, 2015) and their reports may be more credible; on the other hand, reports from parents may be more likely to be investigated because maternal support is a factor in prosecuting child maltreatment (Cross, DeVos, & Whitcomb, 1994). The sex and race–ethnicity of the child may relate to professionals’ judgments of the heinousness of the maltreatment or the likelihood of a successful prosecution and therefore may be factors in the decision to conduct a criminal investigation.…”

Section: Case Characteristics and Criminal Investigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Criminal Investigations in Child Protective Services Cases

et al. 2014

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This study analyzed the frequency and correlates of criminal investigation of child maltreatment in cases investigated by child protective service (CPS), using national probability data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. Criminal investigations were conducted in slightly more than 25% of cases. Communities varied substantially in percentage criminally investigated. Sexual abuse was the most frequent type of maltreatment criminally investigated followed by physical abuse. Logistic regression results indicated that criminal investigations were more likely when caseworkers perceived greater harm and more evidence; when CPS conducted an investigation rather than an assessment; when a parent or a legal guardian reported the maltreatment; and when cases were located in communities in which CPS and police had a memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing coordination. Most variation between communities in criminal investigation remained unexplained. The findings suggest the potential of MOUs for communities wanting to increase criminal investigation.

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“…Of those referrals received, an average of 57.6% of referrals were screened in for further inquiry with the proportion ranging between 15.6% and 98.3% across jurisdictions (Children's Bureau, 2019). Although CPS agencies typically base screening decisions on whether a referral meets child maltreatment definition or threshold criteria, it is not clear to what extent other factors, such as available resources, may play a role in decision‐making (Cross, Goulet, Helton, Lux, & Fuller, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Screening decisions present particular challenges for workers, such as managing a high volume of referrals containing limited, vague, or conflicting information (Cross et al, 2014; Saltiel, 2015). Intake workers must also filter referrals within relatively tight timescales and determine if they meet the required maltreatment definitions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with the decision to investigate child protective services referrals: A systematic review

Damman

Johnson‐Motoyama

Wells

et al. 2020

Child & Family Social Work

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Limited resources for child protection create challenging decision situations for child protective services (CPS) workers at the point of intake. A body of research has examined the factors associated with worker decisions and processes using a variety of methodological approaches to gain knowledge on decision-making. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review this literature. As part of a larger project on decision-making at intake, this systematic review addressed the question of the factors associated with worker decisions to investigate alleged maltreatment referrals. Quantitative studies that examined factors associated with screening decisions in CPS practice settings were included in the review. Database and other search methods were used to identify research published in English over a 35-year period (1980-2015). Of 1,147 identified sources, 18 studies were selected for full data extraction. The studies were conducted in the United States,

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What Will Happen to This Child If I Report? Outcomes of Reporting Child Maltreatment

Cited by 7 publications

References 38 publications

Legal and clinical guidelines for making a child maltreatment report.

Legal and clinical guidelines for making a child maltreatment report.

Criminal Investigations in Child Protective Services Cases

Factors associated with the decision to investigate child protective services referrals: A systematic review

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