The effects of economic factors on the out-of-home placement for neglected children.

摘要

U.S. child welfare services provides children who cannot be cared for by their families with out-of-home (OOH) care, which is temporary residential care outside of a child's original home. Economic factors are critical in making consistent OOH placement decisions due to their relationship with child development and safety.;This study aims to 1) Examine the effects of economic factors on the OOH placement decision; 2) Compare the marginal effects of economic factors on the OOH placement decision by type of maltreatment; and 3) Identify the effects of economic factors on the type of OOH care setting. Two datasets were used: the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), FFY 2011. The first two research aims were examined based on the NCANDS dataset, including children who were investigated by Child Protective Services. For the third aim, a merged dataset of NCANDS and AFCARS including only neglected children was used. Binary, sequential, and multinomial logistic regression were used.;The first results indicated that the coexistence of economic hardship and child maltreatment increased the odds of OOH placement compared to economic hardship or child maltreatment alone. Inadequate housing combined with maltreatment was the most important factor affecting the OOH placement decision.;The second results indicated that the probabilities of OOH placement differed by type of maltreatment, and the marginal effects of each economic factor on OOH placement by type of maltreatment were different. Among placement due to the occurrence of maltreatment, the probability of placement due to neglect was the highest. Overall, marginal effects of inadequate housing were influential regardless of the type of maltreatment. The third results indicated that no significant effects of economic factors were found on the type of OOH care.;The study suggests policy recommendations. First, providing affordable housing should be a priority for child welfare--involved families to prevent the need for OOH care. Second, alternative responses that focus on family-centered services are recommended. Lastly, it would advance our understanding of vulnerable children's experience of OOH care if data collection of child developmental outcomes is mandated.