Duncan Lindsey

What can child homicide rates tell us about the effectiveness of child welfare services

This paper examines the methodological problems involved in using child homicide rates as measures of the success or failure of child protection efforts. A comprehensive review of child homicide research identifies three major methodological issues: (1) The classification of child deaths as homicides is unreliable; (2) child homicides may not generally represent the endpoint of a continuum of violence ranging from inadequate parenting to maltreatment to death; and (3) child homicides are not frequent enough occurrences to effectively measure the impact of child welfare services and policies. We conclude that while improved reporting and classification procedures may lead to some useful avenues for research, relying on child homicide statistics to evaluate child welfare services may contribute to further narrowing the scope of child welfare by stressing procedures geared primarily to preventing child homicides. Child welfare services need to develop outcome measures that tap the broader mandate of improving the circumstances and well-being of children.

Child poverty and welfare reform

Children living in low-income households are nearly three times as likely to suffer mental health problems as their more affluent peers. One in five families the equivalent of one and a half million families, with two and a half million children said that they had cut back on food, and a similar proportion had to cut back on heating their home as a result of benefits being increased below inflation.

The effects of computerization on public child welfare practice

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of a new and promising case-based management information system on child welfare case management practices in two California counties. The objectives were to measure the extent to which computerization affected casework practices and to identify factors that influenced the effects of computerization. An exploratory longitudinal one-group pre-post design was used. Contrary to expectations, few differences were found, although workers spent more time alone after implementation of the system. A key finding is that the amount of time that caseworkers spent with clients was not reduced by the computer system.

Developing a research journal for the child welfare field

Abstract Journals provide a forum for critical inquiry and the development of an empirical knowledge base in their respective fields and professions. Since its inception, Children and Youth Services Review has been concerned with promoting and facilitating serious critical and empirical research in the child welfare field. The goal of the Review has been to publish research from a broad group of interdisciplinary scholars and researchers who have made important contributions to understanding the social and economic situation of children and youth and the effectiveness of various programs and policies directed to improving this situation. How successful has the Review been in achieving its goal?