RESULTS FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF TEAM DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

A particularly difficult task for child protection workers is deciding whether to separate a child from their family due to safety concerns. Team Decision Making (TDM) is a collaborative practice created by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (Casey) that child welfare agencies use to include family members for all decisions involving child removal, change of placement, reunification or other permanency plans. TDM is comprised of six elements, of which the key component is a meeting held to make safety-based decisions every time a safety assessment suggests a child may need to leave their home, regardless of court involvement. Prior evaluation established TDM as a promising practice.In this article, we present findings from a process and outcome evaluation of the initial removal TDM model in two implementation sites in Missouri from 2015 to 2019. The sample included 1,423 children clustered within 709 cases (268 control; 441 treatment). Analyses focused on workers’ perceptions included 459 cases (172 Control; 287 Treatment). Treatment group cases were more likely than those in the control group to have their worker report having sufficient information to make a decision. Treatment group children were less likely to experience a custody episode within two weeks related to the initial TDM referral, and within one year related to any allegation (i.e., if there was a subsequent allegation after the initial TDM referral). There was no evidence that children receiving an initial TDM meeting were more likely to experience maltreatment than children who received standard investigation services. TDM was implemented with fidelity to the model, with some exceptions. Overall, the study found TDM to be a practice in which: (1) children experienced better child welfare outcomes on some, but not all measures examined; (2) workers expressed appreciation for the process and reported being better informed about the child and family; and (3) parents, family members, and community supports expressed satisfaction with the experience. This study provides needed evidence that TDM is a useful and helpful practice and one that is of benefit to the child welfare field.