NCJ Number
152954
Journal
Protecting Children Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 21-26
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A 1993 survey of 24 States gathered information about the views of plaintiffs and defendant agencies involved in child welfare class-action litigation relating to whether agencies had made reasonable efforts to prevent child placement and reunify children with families where appropriate.
Abstract
The survey assessed overall satisfaction with the results of litigation, with emphasis on funding changes, the impact on available client services and on management systems, and various negative impacts. Responses came from 30 percent of the plaintiff and defendant agencies. Results indicated that plaintiffs and defendants were generally dissatisfied, although for different reasons. Some defendants have experienced negative impacts that outweigh positive changes; they especially note the usurpation of authority by outside monitors and the drain of time and money spent on the new level of bureaucracy. Defendants wanted support for making needed changes that would better meet client needs and not drain resources. Plaintiffs were more likely to be dissatisfied due to the lack of desired outcomes. Nevertheless, some defendants reported high satisfaction with outcomes and noted that the litigation provided the impetus for new service programs and better management systems. According to those involved in litigation, funding for child welfare agencies has increased in a high percentage of cases. Findings suggest that it will be necessary to find a broader constituency for child welfare systems if additional resources leveraged by litigation are to be sustained. 15 references