Rick Barth and colleagues publish a new article in the Journal of Public Child Welfare.
Barth, R. P., & Xu, Y. Satisfaction with child welfare workers and services: reports from mothers receiving child welfare services. Journal of Public Child Welfare, https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2025.2528017.
ABSTRACT
Child welfare services (CWS) aim to protect children while conducting respectful investigations and providing supportive services. This study analyzes self-reports from 1,181 mothers who experienced a CWS investigation and participated in NSCAW III, a nationally representative child welfare study in the U.S. Using general linear model analysis, the study examined factors related to three key outcomes: engagement with CWS, satisfaction with services, and responsiveness of CWS workers. Findings show that while CWS workers often make parents feel heard and understood, many parents do not feel adequately served. Incorporating measures of parental engagement and satisfaction into routine child welfare practice could enhance service quality.