Implementation of Quality Assurance Model to Evaluate Child Welfare Policy and Practice

Background:

Quality Assurance (QA) in the child welfare system is designed to evaluate the components of programs as a means to improve outcomes for child’s well-being. Realizing the importance of evaluating child welfare outcomes related to current child welfare practices and policies, a Mid-Atlantic state in partnership with a university conducted a statewide evaluation of a new QA model that includes a broader scope of assessing child welfare practices and outcomes and public agencies’ compliances with current policies. The purpose of this study is to introduce methodological elements that are effective in implementing a QA process and in measuring the outcomes and quality of services, and examine the development and implementation of the new QA model, and examine its contribution to the measuring of the quality of child welfare services and outcomes.

Methods:

Researchers reviewed the implementation of the new QA model across the state’s 24 local jurisdictions over a three year cycle. The state’s QA process consisted of the following five steps: (1) local agency’s self-assessment; (2) SACWIS case review; (3) on-site case-related interviews and focus group; (4) a report of findings; and (5) the development, implementation, and monitoring of the local agency’s Continuous Improvement Plan. During each step, both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from each jurisdiction across the three main child welfare programs (Investigations, In-Home Services, and Out of Home Services). State-developed measures covering three Continuous Quality Improvement Domains were also examined to provide qualitative and quantitative data on the challenges and successes of current agency’s child welfare practices and outcomes.

Results:

The results indicate that the new QA process was able to effectively assess various factors influencing children and families’ outcomes in addition to collecting aggregate statewide child welfare data.  Overall the results were able to identify successful strategies used in current practices in addition to the barriers involved in providing services to meet the children and families’ needs. Results show positive outcomes for families, such as empowering families and youth through Family Involvement Meetings, as well as effective strategies to help divert children from entering into care. The QA process also identified factors influencing outcomes to achieve permanency including reunification and guardianship. Lastly, the QA process is also beneficial at identifying barriers or gaps in service to families and youth.

Implications:

The purpose of the study was to evaluate a state’s recent design and implementation of the QA process and how the data can be used to make policy and program improvements. The implications for this study demonstrates that an effective QA model provides valuable feedback on the quality of the practices and services examined and the outcomes of children and families served by the child welfare system. This study can contribute to changes in how the new child welfare QA model is implemented, ultimately, leading to better outcomes for families and children and building a model for other states to increase data driven outcomes and improve child welfare policy and practice.