One would think that a DCF Investigation would reduce the future risk of abuse or neglect to those children whose parents were investigated. Not so according to a recent study.
The study examined the records of 595 similiarily situated children from ages 4 – 8. Of those children, 164 were part of a family that was investigated by Child Protective Services. Four years later, the researchers interviewed all 595 families to compare the investigated families to the non-investigated families. The researchers specifically looked at indicators for abuse and neglect such as family functioning, caregiver education and support.
The findings? Child Protective (DCF) Investigations had little or no effect in reducing the risk for future abuse or neglect.
The likely reason? A DCF investigation focuses on a short-term (acute) problem. DCF often fails to address the long term (chronic) issues by offering and supportive ongoing services for families in need. If DCF used this approach, it would reduce certain risk factors within families which still exist long after the original DCF Investigation is closed.
Heres the NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/science/12child.html?_r=2&emc=eta1
Feedback welcomed.