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Evaluating contract agency performance in achieving reunification

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  • Wulczyn, Fred
  • Chen, Lijun
  • Orlebeke, Britany

Abstract

This paper analyzes the performance of contract agencies in achieving timely permanency for children in foster care. Using the Cox regression model on administrative data of children admitted in three years, we examine the hazard rate of family reunification for each agency both relative to its peers and compared with its own performance in previous years. This is achieved by introducing an interaction term between the agency dummy and the entry-year indicators. Doing this provides a dynamic and comprehensive view of an agency's performance both over time and in relation to other agencies in the same locale. We believe that our modeling technique can serve as an effective tool for child welfare administrators to evaluate the performance of foster care service providers.

Suggested Citation

  • Wulczyn, Fred & Chen, Lijun & Orlebeke, Britany, 2009. "Evaluating contract agency performance in achieving reunification," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 506-512, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:5:p:506-512
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wells, Kathleen & Guo, Shenyang, 1999. "Reunification and reentry of foster children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 273-294, April.
    2. Courtney, Mark E. & Yin-Ling Irene Wong, 1996. "Comparing the timing of exits from substitute care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(4-5), pages 307-334.
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    1. Raghavan, Ramesh, 2010. "Using risk adjustment approaches in child welfare performance measurement: Applications and insights from health and mental health settings," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 103-112, January.
    2. Lee, Daniel Hyung Jik & Huerta, Christina & Farmer, Elizabeth M.Z., 2021. "Kinship navigation: Facilitating permanency and equity for youth in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. McBeath, Bowen & Collins-Camargo, Crystal & Chuang, Emmeline & Wells, Rebecca & Bunger, Alicia C. & Jolles, Mónica Pérez, 2014. "New directions for research on the organizational and institutional context of child welfare agencies: Introduction to the symposium on “The Organizational and Managerial Context of Private Child Welf," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 83-92.

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