The Center for Child Policy just published a very readable review of research on Differential Response (known as “Family Assessment” in Minnesota). DR is an approach that promotes “family-friendly” practices as alternatives to traditional child protection investigations.
Author Kathryn Piper’s findings update and reinforce those reported in 2013 by Hughes and Rykus, including that:
Evaluations used to support DR are of questionable validity
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Concerns about child safety are growing particularly where jurisdictions have abandoned fact-finding
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DR hasn’t accurately sorted cases by risk level or encouraged more service uptake than the traditional model
High profile child deaths have prompted 13 states to terminate their DR programs or modify them to blend the best features of DR and traditional responses.
Next Week: Piper’s recommendations compared to our own legislative goals.