title: Entryway into the child protection system: the impacts of child maltreatment reporting policies and reporting system structures.
abstract: This study was designed to assess the impacts of maltreatment reporting policies and reporting system structures on four aspects of entry into the child protection system (the maltreatment referral rate, the percentage of referrals screened in for investigation, the screened-in report rate and the substantiated report rate). Using secondary data from several sources, eight multiple linear regression models were created and analyzed. Results from a sample of 44 states indicated significant effects for system structure but no effects for reporting policies. Specifically, states with decentralized reporting system structures were significantly more restrictive in access than other states. These results have implications for child welfare administrators and policymakers seeking to maximize access for maltreated children and their families.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, School of Social Work, P.O. Box 163358, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Steen
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, School of Social Work, USA.
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duran
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002669:Child Welfare; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States
keywords: Child maltreatment reporting; Child welfare; Organization; Policy; System structure