An Examination of Reentry into State Sponsored Out of Home Care after Reunification in Maryland

Transcription

1 An Examination of Reentry into State Sponsored Out of Home Care after Reunification in Maryland Terry V. Shaw, University of Maryland, School of Social Work David Ayer, Maryland Department of Human Resources Linda Carter, Maryland Department of Human Resources

2 Goal(s) Original: DHR wanted to examine the reasons children reenter foster care to try and understand why these reentries occur and to develop a model that can predict reentries at the time of exit. New: Legislatively mandated examination on the reasons why children reenter the foster care system after reunification.

3 Methods Utilized A comprehensive literature review on factors that lead to foster care reentry; Interviews with administrators from other states who have reentry rates lower than Maryland; A survey with caseworkers who have had experience with reunifications and reentries; A review of cases with both successful and unsuccessful reentries; An examination of administrative data from Maryland s Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), also known as Maryland Children's Electronic Social Services Information Exchange (MD - CHESSIE).

4 The Cycle of Experiences in the Child Welfare System Reentry into Care Permanency Through Reunification, Adoption, or Guardianship Substantiated Report of A/N Counterbalanced Indicators of System Performance Home-Based Services vs. Out-of-Home Care Use of Least Restrictive Form of Care Shorter Lengths Of Stay Maintain Positive Attachments to Family, Friends, & Neighbors Stability Of Care University of North Carolina School of Social Work, Annie E. Casey Foundation Family to Family Initiative

5 Research on Reentry to Care Race Child Age Health Problems Poverty Timing in Care Black children have higher odds of reentry compared to other children. There is not agreement on age studies have found an increased risk for infants, a decreased risk for 7 to 12 year olds, and an increased risk for 12 to 14 year olds. Children with health problems have an increased hazard of reentry compared to other children. Children from families receiving AFDC have increased hazard of reentry compared to other children. Children in care for short amounts of time have increased risk of reentry compared to other children.

6 Research on Reentry to Care, continued Placement Type Number of placements Child Age Children placed with relatives or in family homes have lower odds of reentry than those in group homes. The more placements a child experiences in care the higher the risk of reentry. There is not agreement on age studies have found an increased risk for infants, a decreased risk for 7 to 12 year olds, and an increased risk for 12 to 14 year olds.

7 Research on Reentry to Care, continued Alcohol Abuse The suggestion of drug/alcohol services on the case plan leads to dramatic increases in the odds of reentry. Removal Reason Prior CPS Children with a removal reason of neglect had increased risk of reentry. History with CPS positively associated with risk for re-entry.

8 Reentry Logistic Regression Analysis Exits from Maryland State Supervised Child Welfare System to Reunification for youth 0 to 16 at time of exit in Calendar Years 2009 to Reentry within 18 months of exit. Fiscal Year Reunifications Reentries Total % , % , % , % , %

9 Variables Examined Trying to understand the different categories of variables and the impact that they have on reentries. Systemic Variables Policy and timing related variables Worker Variables Education & Tenure Family Variables Family characteristics and child welfare history Child Variables Demographics and behavior

10 Logistic Regression: Child Factors Table 25: Logistic Regression on Reentry within 18 months (Child Factors) Variable Estimate Std Error Chi- Square p-value Odds Ratio Lower Upper Sig? Age at Entry (compared to infant) Ages 1 to 2 Ages 3 to 5 Ages 6 to 10 Ages 11 to 13 Ages <.0001 < *** *** *** *** Child Behavior problems a factor at removal *** Child s Race (Black) * Child s Gender (Female)

11 Logistic Regression: Family Factors Table 25: Logistic Regression on Reentry within 18 months (Family Variables) Variable Estimate Std Error Chi- Square p-value Odds Ratio Lower Upper Sig? Family is Title IV-E eligible Parental Incapacity to care for child *** Voluntary Placement Agreement Mother only Household Removal Reason of Neglect Indication of Prior Removal < *** ** *** Siblings also in care < ***

12 Logistic Regression: Worker/Community Variables Table 25: Logistic Regression on Reentry within 18 months (Worker/Community Variables) Variable Estimate Std Error Chi- Square p-value Odds Ratio Lower Upper Sig? Conducted a Family Meeting Worker tenure: with agency since CHESSIE Court Order Return Home against Agency Recommendation Fiscal Year of Placement < ***

13 Logistic Regression: Worker/System Variables, pt1 Table 25: Logistic Regression on Reentry within 18 months (Worker/Community Variables) Variable Estimate Std Error Chi- Square p-value Odds Ratio Lower Upper Sig? LOS: 0 to 3 months (compared to 12 to 15 months) LOS: 3 to 6 months (compared to 12 to 15 months) Last Placement Type: Kinship (compared to Foster Home) Last Placement Type: Other (compared to Foster Home) < *** *** *** * Last Placement Type: Residential (compared to Foster Home) < ***

14 Logistic Regression: Worker/System Variables, pt2 Table 25: Logistic Regression on Reentry within 18 months (Worker/Community Variables) Variable Estimate Std Error Chi- Square p-value Odds Ratio Lower Upper Sig? Jurisdiction size (urban) Ever Placed in a Residential Facility *** Ever experiencing a Trial Home Visit *** Caseworker Visitation during placement < *** Caseworker Visitation after placement

15 Focusing on Entries/Reentries Variable First Entries Other Entries Age Groups See earlier ns Child Behavior 1.3 * 1.8 *** Parental Incapacity 1.2 * ns VPA 1.4 * ns Mother only household ns 1.3 ** Siblings also in placement 2.5 *** 2.3 *** Court Ordered Return 1.9 *** 3.3 *** Last place THV 0.7 *** ns Ever Placed RTC 1.7 *** 1.5 * Risks 1.8 *** 1.7 *** Length of Stay 0 to *** 3 to *** 0 to 6 ns 18pl 0.3 ***

16 Examination of risks Creating a risk variable that identifies if the child has one of 6 indicators. Child behavior, mom only family, prior child welfare removal, siblings in care, in care for 3 or fewer months, or ever in a residential placement For every additional risk factor the odds of reentry increases 1.68 times.

17 Examination of risks n=213 n=1,078 n=1,891 n=1,360 n=433 n=80

18 Cumulative hazard of reentry within 3 years of exit (CY 2010 exit cohort)

19 Thank You. Terry V. Shaw, Ph.D., MSW, MPH Director Ruth Young Center Associate Professor School of Social Work University of Maryland David Ayer, Ph.D., MSW Deputy Executive Direct Operations Maryland Department of Human Resources Linda Carter, M.Ed., Director Title IV-E Waiver Maryland Department of Human Resources