The Impact of In-Home Services from Child Protective Services on Child Maltreatment Recurrence: A Process Model

Abstract

This study examined the impact of child protective services (CPS) in-home services on child maltreatment recurrence, mediated by perceived match between services and needs and by stress. The process model was tested using structural equation modeling, with 373 caregivers who were reported to Illinois CPS. The findings indicate that among CPS in-home service components (concrete services, clinical services, and emotional support), only emotional support had indirect effects on child maltreatment recurrence; emotional support from a caseworker increased the perceived match between services and needs; the perceived match decreased perceived stress; and decreased stress reduced child maltreatment recurrence. The importance of family-centered practice in child welfare and the need for trainings are discussed.