title: Comparing child protective investigation performance between law enforcement agencies and child welfare agencies.
abstract: This study examines the comparative effectiveness of using law enforcement agencies for child protective investigation (CPI), in contrast with the traditional approach of CPI conducted by the public child welfare agency. The analysis uses 2006-2007 data from a natural experiment conducted in Florida to show modest differences in performance and cost-efficiency between the two approaches to CPI. These findings may have implications for other states considering outsourcing CPI to law enforcement.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University, USA.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yampolskaya
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Roxann
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McNeish
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vargo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors