Re-referral to child protective services: the influence of child, family, and case characteristics on risk status

INTRODUCTION: This study examines child, family, and case characteristics that impact rates of re-referral to Child Protective Services (CPS) using data on all closed CPS investigations for the state of Rhode Island between 2001 and 2004. METHOD: A longitudinal dataset of all referrals to CPS was created using state submissions to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). After excluding children whose initial CPS investigation resulted in removal from the home, a Cox proportional hazards model was tested to examine factors impacting the likelihood of re-referral. RESULTS: Consistent with other research in this area, the initial 6-month period following case disposition is the period of greatest risk of re-referral. Approximately 13% of cases experienced a recurrent allegation during the first 6-month period; an additional 14% experienced a re-referral over the following 12-month period; 7% during the next 12-month period. Family poverty was the strongest predictor of re-referral, though a number of child and case characteristics were significantly related to recurrence. Cases that were substantiated at index were significantly less likely to result in a new allegation, though substantiated cases of physical abuse or those receiving post-investigation services were at higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: Children from families facing multiple stressors (e.g., low SES, parental substance abuse child disability) are at highest risk of re-referral to CPS and may benefit from the development of preventive services targeted immediately following case closings within CPS.     

Impact of a statewide home visiting program to prevent child abuse

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a voluntary, paraprofessional home visiting program in preventing child maltreatment and reducing the multiple, malleable psychosocial risks for maltreatment for which families had been targeted. METHODS: This collaborative, experimental study focused on 6 Healthy Families Alaska (HFAK) programs; 325 families were enrolled in 2000-2001, randomized to intervention and control groups, and interviewed to measure baseline attributes. Follow-up data were collected when children were 2 years old (85% follow-up rate). Outcomes included maltreatment reports, measures of potential maltreatment and parental risks, for example, poor mental health, substance use, and partner violence. HFAK records were reviewed to measure home visiting services. Home visitors were surveyed to measure perceived effectiveness and training adequacy. RESULTS: Parental risks were common at baseline, and one-sixth of families had a substantiated child protective services report in the child's first 2 years of life. There was no overall program effect on maltreatment reports, and most measures of potential maltreatment. Home visited mothers reported using mild forms of physical discipline less often than control mothers. The groups were similar in their use of more severe forms of physical discipline. There was no program impact on parental risks. There was no impact on outcomes for families with a 'high dose' of home visiting. Home visitors often failed to address parental risks and seldom linked families with community resources. Contradictions in the model compromised effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The program did not prevent child maltreatment, nor reduce the parental risks that had made families eligible for service. Research is needed to develop and test strategies to improve the effectiveness of home visiting.     

Prevalence of child sexual abuse reported by a cross-sectional sample of New Zealand women

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to describe the prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) among women in New Zealand, document ethnic specific rates, and outline the frequency of abuse experienced and the most commonly identified perpetrators. Associations between CSA and later adverse consequences were also explored. METHODS: Retrospective report from a random sample of 2,855 women aged 18-64 years old in two regions in New Zealand. Face-to-face interviews with one randomly selected woman from each household were conducted. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rates for CSA were 23.5% for women from the urban region and 28.2% from the rural region. In both urban and rural regions, Māori women more frequently reported experiences of CSA than women from European and other ethnic groups (urban: 30.5% vs. 17.0% and rural: 35.1% vs. 20.7%). The median age of onset of the abuse was 9 years, and the median estimated age of the abuser was 30 years. Half of those who experienced CSA reported that it occurred once or twice, 27% "a few times," and 23% "multiple times." Sole perpetrators were involved in 83% of cases. The majority of cases were perpetrated by a family member, most frequently male. Compared with non-victims, victims of CSA were twice as likely to experience later intimate partner violence and violence by others. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports on a large, population-based sample in an ethnically diverse population in New Zealand, providing the first ethnic-specific rates of CSA available. Findings suggest important priorities for prevention and intervention activities.     

Screening of phonological awareness in the early elementary grades: an IRT approach

The purpose of the present study was to explore the possibilities for the assessment of growth in phonological awareness of children in kindergarten and first grade. Phonological awareness was measured using four sets of items involving rhyming, phoneme identification, phoneme blending, and phoneme segmentation. The results of an exploratory factor analysis and analyses conducted within the framework of item response theory showed one latent ability to underlie the different sets of items, which nevertheless differed in difficulty. Analyses in terms of the children’s ability further showed the phonological awareness measures to be sensitive to growth. The amount of information supplied by the different sets of items depended on the children’s level of ability. The conclusion that it is possible to accurately monitor the development of children’s phonological awareness in the early elementary grades appears to be justified, and this possibility opens up new perspectives for the early screening for reading problems and dyslexia.     

基于多媒体网络教学系统多维互动教学模式的应用研究

多媒体网络教学系统是集图形、图像、动画、视音频及文字等各种信息于一体的专用多媒体计算机网络教学平台,其为多维互动式教学的开展提供了资源和途径。本文简要介绍了多维互动教学模式的理论基础,重点构建了基于多媒体网络教学系统的多维互动教学模式,并在实践中进一步探讨了模式的具体应用。     

指导教师负责制的自主选课教学模式

大学物理实验作为一门基础学科可以提高学生素质,培养学生的动手能力、创新能力。本文通过对大学物理实验传统教学模式及学生自主选课教学模式的不足之处进行分析,将指导教师负责制引入到自主选课模式中,充分调动教师和学生的积极性,取得了显著的教学成果,体现了指导教师负责制在大学物理实验自主选课教学模式中的重要性。     

水上交通在汉江生态经济带建设中的战略意义

建设汉江生态经济带,是十堰市委贯彻落实科学发展观的战略举措,是优化区域布局、实现统筹发展的客观需要,是促进生态文明、打造南水北调优质水源区的必然要求．水上交通是汉江生态经济建设的重要组成,部分对汉江生态经济带建设起着重要作用,提出了水上交通在汉江生态经济带建设中的地位及措施．     

高职院校校企一体、点面结合知识产权教育流程及实践

知识产权教育对落实国家知识产权战略,建设创新型国家和加快经济转型升级具有十分重要的意义。高职院校由于观念、师资等原因,普遍忽视知识产权教育。浙江工贸职业技术学院与园区的知识产权中介机构在体制上有机融合、高效运行,以点面结合的形式开展知识产权教育,双方注重营造知识产权校园文化,采用“理工专业基础+职业培训”形式来培养复合型知识产权人才。     

校本研修网络化研究

在全国各地蓬勃兴起的校本研修是中小学教育科研转型的标志。随着当前基础教育新课程改革的不断深化。当前开展常规校本研修主要遇到了时空拓展、同伴互助争专业引领的困惑。这应该称之为校本研修进行到一定程度．需要进一步提高的时候,遇到的“高原现象”。网络校本研修借助网络平台的开放性、网络资源的丰富性、网络交流的互动性。具有传统研修无法比拟的优势。可以肯定,借助现代教育技术,走网络化校本研修之路,构建有效的现代校本研修模式。是促进教师专业化发展的必然选择。