CSSP : Recent Publications

CSSP has just launched PolicyForResults.org, a web-based initiative to help policy makers govern more effectively by providing the up-to-the-minute, high quality research and evidence they need to enact policies that measurably improve the lives of children and families. Tough economic times call for policies that keep all children healthy and on track to succeed in school, support families’ economic success, and pay special attention to the most vulnerable young people and families, such as those in contact with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The website gives governors, state legislators, agency administrators, and those who advise them clear examples of why a certain policy direction is important for children and families (based on evidence of effectiveness); what policies are succeeding in other states; and how to tailor policy to their own state’s conditions. PolicyforResults.org also connects policymakers to “two-generation” approaches that lift up children and their parents at the same time, with an emphasis on policies that close gaps and achieve equitable outcomes for all families.

LaShawn A. v. Fenty An Assessment of the District of Columbia’s Child Welfare System (As of January 31, 2009). (140 pgs, 1MB 5/09)
This monitoring report summarizes the status of the District of Columbia in meeting the requirements of LaShawn A. v. Fenty Amended Implementation Plan. Using the last quantitative benchmark from the 2003 Implementation Plan against which to assess current progress, this report measures the District’s progress as of January 31, 2009. The Monitor found that CFSA’s basic operations have become more stable in the past six months after CFSA experienced great instability and reduced performance in 2008 following the tragic deaths of the Jacks/Fogle children. CFSA performance data in several key areas are once again headed in the right direction, although there is still a considerable gap in many areas between current performance and court-ordered benchmarks and outcomes. There are many areas of practice where the District continues to fall far short of the standards required in the LaShawn Amended Implementation Plan (AIP). Additionally, as is documented in this report, there are multiple examples of inconsistent performance over time, suggesting that long-term sustainability of progress has not been achieved. The Quality Service Reviews (QSRs), which assess the quality of case practice, continue to show inconsistent results.

An Analysis of Progress in Meeting Select LaShawn A. v. Fenty Amended Implementation Plan Requirements and Practice and Systemic Challenges from Cases Reviewed in 2008
(29 pgs, 772KB 5/09)
Under the LaShawn A. v. Fenty Modified Final Order and Amended Implementation Plan (AIP), the Center for the Study of Social Policy, as Court Monitor assess the District’s progress on a range of system requirements and outcomes for children and their families. For several court-ordered requirements, the Monitor uses verified information from Quality Service Reviews to assess performance. This report briefly describes the Quality Service Review process and methodology and its role in practice improvement; presents findings on meeting the LaShawn A. v. Fenty requirements based on the verified data from the cases reviewed in 2008; and presents some of the practice challenges found in cases reviewed in 2008.

Progress of the New Jersey - Department of Children and Families Period V Monitoring Report for Charlie and Nadine H. v. Corzine (119 pgs, 684KB 4/09)
The fifth monitoring report summarizes the progress made by the state of New Jersey in meeting the requirements of the Modified Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA structures the State’s commitments into two phases of work. Phase I (July 2006 -December 2008) is primarily directed at establishing a strong infrastructure within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to ensure children are healthy and safe; children achieve permanency and stability; and resource and service delivery systems meet children’s health, mental health, educational, and developmental needs. The Monitor found that, over the course of Phase I, DCF created the necessary infrastructure to create lasting reform, added important services to support children and families, and there were beginning improvements in outcomes for children and families who come into contact with the child welfare system. This report provides more specific information on DCF’s activities and progress made in the last six months of Phase I (July - December 2008). The Monitor found that DCF met the majority of requirements for this time period. Subsequent monitoring reports will examine Phase II requirements which measure safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for children.

A Guide to Opportunities to Assure Children are Healthy and Prepared to Succeed in School for Making Connections Communities and A Guide to Entry Level Jobs and Training and Education Opportunities for Making Connections Communities (34 pgs, 426KB 4/09) and (55 pgs, 529KB 4/09)
These guides are part of a series of resources being developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy for communities participating in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Making Connections initiative. For the past decade, Making Connections communities have been working to improve the lives and prospects of families living in some of America’s toughest neighborhoods by creating economic opportunities, improving the quality of services and supports, and strengthening social networks. Used wisely, the resources provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act can contribute to and build on the work that Making Connections and other communities are doing to achieve and sustain more equitable results for families living in low income neighborhoods.

Race Equity Review: Findings from a Qualitative Analysis of Racial Disproportionality and Disparity for African American Children and Families in Michigan’s Child Welfare System
(66 pgs, 761KB 1/09) by the Center for the Study of Social Policy

In a bold step to examine racial disproportionality and disparity, the state of Michigan’s Department of Human Services initiated an intensive review of their policies, procedures and case practice with a team of national experts, local leaders, and stakeholders. This team, led by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, designed and implemented a qualitative Race Equity Review to examine the research question: "How does it come about that, after substantiation of child abuse or neglect, African American children are more likely to be removed from their homes?" The findings of the review and this report identify specific policies and practices that directly negatively impact African American children and families. In addition, there are institutional features of Michigan’s child welfare system that negatively impact all families, but have even more severe consequences for African American families. Broad themes identified include a lack of belief in the ability of African American families and communities to care for children; limited case and community advocacy for African American families; the failure to build an infrastructure of policy, practice and resources that contributes to an environment which supports fair outcomes for African American children and families, and the lack of accountability for results. The report presents the Review methodology, specific findings of institutional features that contribute to racial disproportionality and disparity, and recommendations for change.

Scale of Change: Creating and Sustaining Collaborative Child Welfare Reform across Cities and States
(66 pgs, 761KB 12/08) by Andrew White on behalf of the Center for the Study of Social Policy

This report highlights the efforts made by three very different public systems - California, Washington D.C. and Iowa – each of which exemplifies the road to reform through the guiding principles of strength-based, family centered practice, community partnership, and parent engagement and leadership. All three have resolutely surpassed the “pilot stage” to touch thousands of families each year; have given rise to meaningful policy and practice changes within public agencies; as well as, embedded a stronger sense of responsibility and accountability for the well-being of children and families among multiple stakeholders. The case studies recount the challenges faced in trying to infuse collaborative values and practices within public child welfare systems, while citing key factors that contributed to sustainable, measurable positive results. Public agency workers, community representatives, family advocates, and families will also discover the successful journey of leveraging public and private resources, engaging sometimes unlikely partners, and productively confronting old assumptions about the power of communities and parents for the improvement of family outcomes.

Realizing President Obama’s Promise to Scale Up What Works to Fight Urban Poverty
(9 pgs, 44KB 1/09)

Among the policy proposals in President Obama’s anti-poverty portfolio are two that could succeed in transforming lives and neighborhoods, and that present very different scale-up challenges. In this paper, CSSP Senior Fellow Lisbeth B. Schorr compares what it will take to expand the Nurse-Family Partnership to reach all low-income first-time mothers with nurse home visits, with what it will take to spread the Harlem Children’s Zone, with its intricately woven tapestry of services and supports, to twenty “Promise Neighborhoods.”