June 2012Vol. 13, No. 5Behavioral Issues and Child Welfare
A knowledge brief published by the Models for Change Initiative with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation explores how children with behavioral problems are served by the child welfare system. Researchers compared Washington State child welfare placement data with juvenile and adult arrest data. Analysis shows that youth who entered foster care because of behavioral problems—as opposed to youth who entered the system because of maltreatment—experienced more instability in care, were more often placed in group homes rather than with foster families, and were at an increased risk of arrest.
The authors discuss the implications for policy and practice and recommend increased collaboration between child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
How Well Is the Child Welfare System Serving Youths with Behavioral Problems? is available on the Models for Change Initiative website: