Factors associated with service use among immigrants in the child welfare system

Abstract

This study investigated child, caregiver, and caseworker factors associated with greater use of family support services by immigrant families in the U.S. child welfare system. Among child factors, higher levels of internalizing behavior problems (Odds Ratio (O.R.) = 3.60), externalizing behavior problems (O.R. = 2.62) and a history of neglect (O.R. = 4.23) were associated with greater family support service use. Among caregiver factors, prior reports of maltreatment (O.R. = 6.77), a serious mental health problem of the caregiver (O.R. = 6.86), cognitive impairments (O.R. = 10.46) in the primary caregiver, the primary caregivers’ history of arrests (O.R. = 6.47) and domestic violence (O.R. = 2.87), were associated with heavy service use. Caseworkers’ training on cultural issues (O.R. = 61.35), their concerns over bureaucracy (O.R. = 25.38) and concern over rules and regulations (O.R. = 6.08) were also associated with greater service use among immigrant families. This research suggests that use of family support services may be determined not only by the family's demographic factors and risk level but also by caseworkers’ training in cultural competence and their perception of organizational problems.