Outcome measurement in child welfare

Area of Science:

• Child welfare
• Social work effectiveness
• Program evaluation

Background:

• Child welfare agencies utilize structured methods to assess case outcomes.
• Measuring effectiveness is crucial for accountability and service improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey current methods for measuring child welfare case outcomes.
• To identify needs for improved effectiveness measures.
• To discuss criteria for accountability-compliant measures.

Main Methods:

• Survey of structured methods used by agencies.
• Analysis of findings regarding outcome measurement.

Main Results:

• Current methods for measuring child welfare case outcomes are insufficient.
• There is a clear need for enhanced effectiveness measures.
• Existing measures may not meet stringent accountability requirements.

Conclusions:

• Improved, standardized measures of child welfare case outcomes are necessary.
• Effectiveness measures must align with accountability demands.
• Further development in outcome measurement is essential for the field.