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The revolving door of families in the child welfare system: Risk and protective factors associated with families returning

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  • Davidson, Ryan D.
  • Tomlinson, Claire S.
  • Beck, Connie J.
  • Bowen, Anne M.

Abstract

The number of families involved in the child welfare system (including child protective services, foster care, juvenile court) has increased since 2011(Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, 2015). Professionals involved in these systems have discussed the increase in number of families who return to the child welfare system after an initial case closure. We aim to identify risk and protective factors associated with families returning to the system within a social ecological framework, to identify gaps in the current literature, and to discuss areas for future research. A literature search was conducted using PsycInfo, PubMED, and SociIndex through June 2017 on three case outcomes: reunification, re-entry/reactivation, and termination of parental rights. The authors then reviewed the articles located and highlight the findings using a social ecological framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Davidson, Ryan D. & Tomlinson, Claire S. & Beck, Connie J. & Bowen, Anne M., 2019. "The revolving door of families in the child welfare system: Risk and protective factors associated with families returning," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 468-479.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:100:y:2019:i:c:p:468-479
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.03.012
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    3. Buisson, Camille & Poitras, Karine & Joyal, Christian C., 2024. "Risk of child sexual abuse: A mixed-methods analysis of judicial decisions in the Youth Court of Québec," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    4. Lecompte, Vanessa & Pascuzzo, Katherine & Hélie, Sonia, 2023. "A look inside family reunification for children with attachment difficulties: An exploratory study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Dare, Julie & Wilkinson, Celia & Karthigesu, Shantha P. & Coall, David A. & Marquis, Ruth, 2023. "Keeping the family: A socio-ecological perspective on the challenges of child removal and reunification for mothers who have experienced substance-related harms," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    6. Collins, Cyleste C. & Bai, Rong & Fischer, Robert & Crampton, David & Lalich, Nina & Liu, Chun & Chan, Tsui, 2020. "Housing instability and child welfare: Examining the delivery of innovative services in the context of a randomized controlled trial," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    7. Diana N. Teixeira & Isabel Narciso & Margarida R. Henriques, 2022. "Driving for Success in Family Reunification—Professionals’ Views on Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-20, December.
    8. Jill R. McTavish & Christine McKee & Masako Tanaka & Harriet L. MacMillan, 2022. "Child Welfare Reform: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, October.
    9. Rushovich, Berenice & Sepulveda, Kristin & Efetevbia, Victoria & Malm, Karin, 2021. "A post-reunification service model: Implementation and population served," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    10. Beard, Lauren M. & Choi, Kyung Won, 2024. "Disrupted family reunification: Mental health, race, and state-level factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).

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