Urgent Protection versus Chronic Need - Is the Classification of Urgent and Chronic Applicable for Child Protection in the US?

Objectives: Child Protection responses in child welfare systems are usually classified by the type of maltreatment that is alleged; typically physical abuse, neglect, sexual maltreatment, and psychological maltreatment.... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: Child Protection responses in child welfare systems are usually classified by the type of maltreatment that is alleged; typically physical abuse, neglect, sexual maltreatment, and psychological maltreatment. Recently, Trocmé et al (2014) identified a classification for CPS responses for Canadian child welfare that are characterized as urgent and chronic. Depending on the classification certain outcomes (recurrence) are more common amongst one group compared to the other. This presentation explores whether US CPS responses can also be classified in a similar way.

Methods: US child responses based on data from the most recently available US National Study on Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) are classified according the scheme initially developed by Trocmé and colleagues. Chronic protection responses are defined as meeting the following criteria; 1) children aged 4 and over with allegations of physical abuse or neglect, 2) emotional maltreatment and exposure to Intimate Partner Violence, and 3) no physical harm, and no required treatment. Urgent protection responses meet the following criteria; 1) less than age 4 with allegations of physical abuse or neglect, 2) sexual maltreatment, and 3) physical harm requiring treatment.

Results: Once classified, data will be analyzed to assess outcome associated with the response (e.g. substantiation status, placements, service provision, etc.) as well as longer term outcomes such as re-reporting, recurrence, and psychological well-being. These results will be compared to Canadian data to determine if the response and trajectories for children are similar and whether the classification is applicable to US child protection.

Conclusion: The classification scheme proposed by Trocme et al (2014) for CPS responses has important implications for systems of intervention if results are replicated in the US. Unlike maltreatment type alone, the scheme may be useful in refining response tracks, and more effectively targeting initial planning for intervention.