Processing and Outcomes of Child Abuse and Neglect Cases in Three Sites

• NCJ Number: 210274
• Author(s): Frances Gragg; Roberta Cronin; Dana Schultz
• Date Published: March 2005
• Length: 217 pages
• Grant Number(s): 97-MU-MU-005
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

Utilizing case tracking, this federally supported draft report examines the processing and outcomes of child abuse and neglect cases in three of the Safe Kids/Safe Streets (SK/SS) communities, specifically, how the cases were handled, the types of service referrals and services received, and case dispositions.

Abstract

The Safe Kids/Safe Streets (SK/SS) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention was designed to reduce child maltreatment in five demonstration sites through comprehensive, multifaceted strategies involving a wide array of community partners. This draft report examined the processing and outcomes for children and families of child abuse and neglect cases in three of the five project sites which included: Burlington, VT; Huntsville, AL; and Kansas City, MO. Using case tracking, details were collected on agency involvement with a case for a sample of cases across multiple agencies. In each of the three sites, service referrals and delivery, case processing, and outcomes for children in families were examined. The objective was to identify outcomes for children and families. The majority of children in all three sites had achieved permanency by the time the data were collected. There were indications that families were getting services earlier in the court process and reaching permanency more quickly. The efforts of the SK/SS project, working closely in partnership with the family court, played a key role in these changes. Findings are presented for each project followed by recommendations or lessons learned in the case tracking approach to reduce child abuse and neglect and improve aspects of child and family well-being. Tables and appendixes A-C