Insights into Rural Child Welfare Practice: A Qualitative Exploration

Background and Purpose:

Child welfare practice presents diverse challenges across various settings. Rural areas, in particular, exhibit unique contextual factors—such as geographic isolation, limited resources, and workforce shortages—that distinguish them from urban environments and are often underexplored. This study aims to investigate the specific factors influencing child welfare services in rural communities.

Methods:

Using semi-structured interviews with 28 child welfare professionals in rural Michigan, we applied thematic analysis to identify patterns within the qualitative data. Team members independently coded the transcripts, followed by collaborative discussions to refine and finalize the themes and codes.

Results:

Findings revealed several systemic and structural challenges—including limited placement options, constrained funding and services, geographic isolation, and workforce shortages. Participants also highlighted critical unmet needs, such as transportation assistance and resources for issues like domestic violence and substance use.

Conclusions and Implications:

Addressing these unique challenges is essential for enhancing service delivery and outcomes for children and families in rural contexts. Further research is warranted to explore how these rural characteristics impact the effectiveness of child welfare services, ultimately guiding the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies.