Cheung, C., Goodman, D., Leckie, G., & Jenkins, J.M. (2011). Understanding contextual effects on externalizing behaviors in children in out-of-home care: Influence of workers and foster families. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), 2050-2060.
Children residing in out-of-home care may be more vulnerable to exhibiting higher levels of externalizing behaviour (e.g., destruction of property, harm towards others) than children living with their biological parents. Extant literature illustrates that child specific features and foster parent characteristics have been found to have an effect on the externalizing behaviour of children in out-of-home care. This study is a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the Assessment and Action Record (AAR) data from the Ontario Looking After Children (OnLAC) project (2007-2008). The AAR is an outcome measurement tool that assesses seven dimensions (i.e., health, education, identity, family and social relationships, social presentation, emotional and behavioural development, and self care skills) in the lives of children residing in out-of-home care in Ontario. Analysis includes child level, foster parent level and worker level characteristics. Results suggest that child welfare workers with less formal education are more likely to work with children in out-of-home care who exhibit higher levels of externalizing behaviour. Further, children in out-of-home care who experience higher levels of foster parent negativity are more likely to exhibit higher levels of externalizing behaviour. Findings suggest the examination of child, foster parent, and worker level characteristics during the development and implementation of policy and practice.
Collin-Vézina, D., Hélie, S., & Trocmé, N. (2010). Is child abuse declining in Canada? An analysis of child welfare data. Child Abuse and Neglect, 34(11), 807-812.
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a social problem associated with trauma symptoms, such as depression and substance abuse. Research from the United States suggests a decline in investigated and substantiated child welfare CSA cases. Data from a self-report survey by Statistics Canada indicate an increase in sexual assault among Canadians 15 years and older reported from 1993 to 1999. Less severe types of sexual abuse, which typically involved children, have remained stable over the same time period. The Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS) data suggest a decline in the number of substantiated CSA child welfare cases across Canada. Conversely, the CIS data indicate an increase in all other forms of child maltreatment during the same time period. This study aimed to test whether CSA substantiation standards have become more conservative resulting in lower substantiation rates. The results, which are based on the CIS-1998 and CIS-2003, do not support the hypothesis that more stringent standards were applied in the decision of whether or not to substantiate child CSA. The Ontario Incidence Studies of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (OIS) indicate a decrease in rate of substantiated CSA cases, whereas the Quebec Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment and Serious Behaviour Problems suggests an increase in incidents of substantiated CSA cases between 1998 and 2003. Considering the various sources of data authors suggest CSA trends in Canada do not mimic those in the United States and it would be imprudent to conclude CSA has been declining in Canada.
Drabble, L. & Poole, N. (2011). Collaboration Between Addiction Treatment and Child Welfare Fields: Opportunities in a Canadian Context. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 11(2), 124-149.
A sizeable portion of families involved with the child welfare system deal with parental substance abuse issues. This study examined the role of child welfare and substance use treatment systems, and their support of pregnant women and mothers with substance use problems. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 managers and direct service staff from both substance use treatment and child welfare fields. The purpose was to examine factors that assist or inhibit collaboration of the two fields. Findings indicate that contextual factors influencing collaboration between systems are affected by policy, practices and cultural norms. The following factors were suggested as influencing collaboration: use of harm reduction; changes in child welfare policy resulting in inconsistent practices; a “forced” integration of services between substance abuse and child welfare resulting in fear of unintended consequences because of the close proximity of services; regional differences where in rural areas families will have one worker who performs several roles, whereas in urban areas families will have different workers according to the need; and, in a direction that contradicted expectations, efforts to increase integrated services. Factors that facilitate collaboration between systems include: principles and values; processes and protocols; program and practice innovation; and shared outcomes. Participants discussed variables, which impede cross-collaboration. Explicitly, disconnection between systems, disconnection between principles and practice, problematic communication flow, rigid orientation to practice, and scarcity of resources were found to inhibit connection between systems. Authors suggest future research should examine in greater depth how harm reduction models may be utilized within a child welfare context in order to provide support for caregivers and children and ultimately increase positive outcomes.