Impact of Interprofessional and Interagency Collaboration in U.S. Child Welfare Systems: A Scoping Review

Although interprofessional and interagency collaboration is considered critical in child welfare, the extant literature lacks a systematic, comprehensive review of studies examining their impact on clients and professionals. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed and gray literature to review the nature and extent of studies of outcomes associated with collaboration in U.S. child welfare systems. Studies were identified through systematic database and gray literature searches and included if they were U.S.-based and in English. Of the 4,535 studies screened, 69 met inclusion criteria. Included studies examined 15 components of collaboration and 20 types of professionals or agencies. Studies used quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, but only eight included a comparison or control group. Nineteen studies used a theory, model, framework, or perspective. Sixty-seven percent of included studies measured collaboration, with most using a single item and self-report measures. Studies explored 81 client outcomes related to safety, permanency, well-being, service access and availability, timeliness and efficiency, service quality, engagement, and motivation, and 82 professional outcomes related to casework practices, knowledge, support, well-being, performance, and legal proceedings. Most findings indicated collaboration is beneficial, although client outcomes were more variable than professional outcomes. Overall, the extant literature provides a multifaceted understanding of how collaboration may impact clients and professionals in child welfare, but there is a need for studies with strong conceptual foundations and rigorous research designs. Further research should also clarify which components of collaboration are most critical and which outcomes are influenced by collaboration.