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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
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Reducing Foster Care Re-Entry Report
by
OSU in collaboration with IHS
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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.
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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:
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Outcome
Focused
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Focused
on keeping the best interests of our customers at the forefront of
all policy and practice
decisions
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Used to
inform policy, program and practice decisions at all levels
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Linked to
the ODJFS Strategic Plan and Performance Measures
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Designed
for sophisticated analysis and quality research (design, reporting,
objectivity)
Initial
Projects:
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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. Findings should be available in late summer, 2007.
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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
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