Effect of worker contacts on risk of child maltreatment recurrence among CPS-involved children and families

The mission and responsibility of child protective services (CPS) is to investigate maltreatment; intervene to protect children from harm; and promote safety, permanency, and well-being. Findings within the literature are... [ view full abstract ]

The mission and responsibility of child protective services (CPS) is to investigate maltreatment; intervene to protect children from harm; and promote safety, permanency, and well-being. Findings within the literature are mixed regarding the effects of CPS interventions on recurrence and child- and family-level outcomes. There is a dearth of research examining the effects of CPS worker contacts on recurrence of maltreatment.

Objective: This study examined the effects of worker contacts on the likelihood of subsequent maltreatment investigations.

Methods: Secondary data analyses were conducted using child welfare case management records provided by a U.S. jurisdiction. A sample of cases opened with both a substantiated maltreatment allegation during 2010–11 and an 18-month follow-up period were used for the analyses. Mixed models using county fixed effects and controlling for recurrence risk estimated the association between contacts and odds of subsequent investigations at two, four, and six months post-case opening. Hazard models estimated the association between a standardized number of contacts and time to subsequent investigation.

Results: Odds ratios were derived showing the association between subsequent investigation and number of completed contacts at two (OR = 1.01, P = 0.04), four (OR = 1.03; P < 0.0), and six months (OR = 1.04; P < 0.0001). Controlling for recurrence risk, cases with a higher number of completed contacts in a month had a 1.39 times (P < 0.001) increased time to subsequent investigation.

Conclusions: These analyses suggest that contacts make little to no difference in the prevention of subsequent child maltreatment. The relationship between the number of contacts and subsequent investigations shows that a higher number of standardized contacts and/or a higher number of contacts could increase the risk or odds of subsequent investigation. Further inquiry into the quality of contacts, maltreatment characteristics, and length of CPS involvement is warranted.