Promoting Evidence Based Practice and Policy

CHILD WELFARE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP

Since 2005, a group of university social work departments, Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs), The Institute for Human Services (IHS), PCSAO, and ODJFS came together to form a Research Partnership to promote Evidence Based Research to improve child welfare. The purpose of this research is to impact child welfare outcome identified in the the federal Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) where Ohio had failed to meet several outcome indicators that will lead to federal sanctions.  

Through the use of donated funds (from counties) this group has already completed research on why foster children who are returned to their parents sometimes are returned to foster care. A second research project involves looking at ways of differentiating and processing child abuse cases at intake. The main obstacle to further much needed research is funding. PCSAs want to change their practice to better achieve desired outcomes, but need to know what Best Practice Research indicates. As stated above, most agencies do not have the time or expertise to do this research themselves. Universities, agencies, and the state can work together to assist counties do the very best for Ohio’s most vulnerable population.

Publications and Projects

• Reducing Foster Care Re-Entry Report  by OSU in collaboration with IHS

• Evidence Based Screening Practices - The Partnership is currently collaborating with the Ohio State University School of Social Work, as a Social Work PhD Candidate conducts a rapid evidence assessment on this topic.  Findings will compliment Ohio’s new CAPMIS tool, a state of the art risk and safety assessment, and family case planning tool.

• Child Welfare Research Partnership Screening Report

ODJFS RESEARCH CONSORTIUM (March 2006)

In an effort to actively support the achievement of our Strategic Plan and Performance Measures (http://odjfsperformancecenter.ohio.gov/pdf/strategicplan.pdf), the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is in the process of developing and implementing a Research Consortium.  The Research Consortium will establish a stronger link between practice and research; assess the effectiveness of current programming; assist in the establishment of research for prevention planning; and research and evaluate best practices based upon information received from service delivery fields.  All research will be:

• Outcome Focused

• Focused on keeping the best interests of our customers at the forefront of all policy and practice
  decisions

• Used to inform policy, program and practice decisions at all levels

• Linked to the ODJFS Strategic Plan and Performance Measures

• Designed for sophisticated analysis and quality research (design, reporting, objectivity) 

Initial Projects:

• HB 130 Grandparent Forms Evaluation -- ODJFS contracted with the Center for Healthy Communities at Wright State University in early 2007 to evaluate the implementation and use of HB 130 Grandparent Caregiver Authorization Affidavit and Grandparent Power of Attorney forms, which provide legal documentation for accessing medical and educational services for the children in their care. Download the Evaluation of the Grandparent Caretaker Law (Substitute House Bill 130) Final Report.

• CFSR Reunification and Re-entry Measures – ODJFS has been analyzing trends and characteristics of children and families that were reunified within the CFSR measure, those that re-entered care, and those that were successfully maintained in the home post reunification.  The School of Social Work at Ohio State University will use the ODJFS data and analysis to seek informative research findings to assist Ohio in timely reunifications and avoidance of re-entry.  OSU work is beginning in Spring 2007.

OACCA Outcomes Data Project: New release, Description of the Project