Child Welfare Workers’ Connectivity to Resources and Youth’s Receipt of Services

Authors

  • Alicia C. Bunger The Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis
  • Arlene R. Stiffman The Brown School of Social Work
  • Kirk A. Foster The Brown School of Social Work
  • Peichang Shi The Brown School of Social Work

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/196

Keywords:

Child welfare workers, Behavioral health, Connectivity

Abstract

Youth involved in the child welfare system are at high risk for mental illness, substance abuse, and other behavioral health issues, which child welfare workers are expected to address through referrals. Child welfare workers (N=27) who participated in Project IMPROVE (Intervention for Multisector Provider Enhancement) reported on services they provided to youth (N=307) in their caseloads. Using survey and administrative data, this paper examines workers’ service actions on behalf of youth. Results were consistent with the Gateway Provider Model and showed that youths received help from a greater variety of service sectors when their workers were able to identify behavioral health problems, and were familiar with and connected to other providers in the community. Improving service delivery to youth in child welfare may be accomplished by training workers in the signs and symptoms of behavioral health problems and familiarizing them with providers in the community.

Author Biographies

Alicia C. Bunger, The Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis

Doctoral Student 1 Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130

Arlene R. Stiffman, The Brown School of Social Work

Ph.D., Professor Director of the NIDA Comorbidity and Addictions Center Senior Scholar Barbara A. Bailey Professor of Social Work, Emeritus

Kirk A. Foster, The Brown School of Social Work

M.Div., M.S.W., Doctoral Student NIDA Comorbidity and Addictions Center Administrator

Peichang Shi, The Brown School of Social Work

Statistical Data Specialist

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Published

2009-03-19

Issue

Section

Articles