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Reunification outcomes among Mexican immigrant families in the child welfare system

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  • Osterling, Kathy Lemon
  • Han, Meekyung

Abstract

This study examined reunification outcomes among Mexican immigrant families involved in the child welfare system, and compared characteristics of Mexican-origin and non-immigrant children involved in the child welfare system. An exploratory retrospective longitudinal design using administrative data from two counties in Northern California was utilized. The quantitative sample (NÂ =Â 2152) included children entering the foster care system for 8 or more days between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2007 in the two participating counties. Child welfare administrative data (CWS/CMS) were merged with eligibility data (CalWIN) in order to obtain parent and child place of birth and citizenship status. Quantitative measures drawn from the merged CWS/CMS and CalWIN dataset included the following: demographic characteristics, immigrant characteristics, case characteristics and reunification outcomes. Results indicated that a significantly higher proportion of Mexican immigrant families (70.7%) were reunified than non-immigrant families (43.1%). Significant correlates of reunification among Mexican immigrant families included the following: mothers with authorized citizenship status (vs. unauthorized citizenship status), mothers whose primary language was Spanish (vs. English), and children with two or fewer placements (vs. three or more placements). Differences between Mexican-origin and non-immigrant children were that Mexican-origin children were older on average than non-immigrant children, and they were more likely to experience physical abuse, sexual abuse or emotional abuse; they were also more likely to be placed in foster care or a group home (vs. relative care). Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Osterling, Kathy Lemon & Han, Meekyung, 2011. "Reunification outcomes among Mexican immigrant families in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(9), pages 1658-1666, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:33:y:2011:i:9:p:1658-1666
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    3. Lin, Ching-Hsuan & Chiang, Pamela P. & Lux, Emily A. & Lin, Hsiu-Fen, 2018. "Immigrant social worker practice: An ecological perspective on strengths and challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 103-113.
    4. Balsells Bailón, M. Àngels & Urrea-Monclús, Aida & Vaquero Tió, Eduard & Fernández-Rodrigo, Laura, 2022. "The voices of children, mothers, and fathers: Can parenting programs improve reunification processes in the Spanish child protection system?," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    5. 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.
    6. Balsells, Maria Àngels & Pastor, Crescencia & Mateos, Ainoa & Vaquero, Eduard & Urrea, Aida, 2015. "Exploring the needs of parents for achieving reunification: The views of foster children, birth family and social workers in Spain," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 159-166.
    7. Cardoso, Jodi Berger & Dettlaff, Alan J. & Finno-Velasquez, Megan & Scott, Jennifer & Faulkner, Monica, 2014. "Nativity and immigration status among Latino families involved in the child welfare system: Characteristics, risk, and maltreatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 189-200.

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