ABSTRACT: The specific aim of this archival case review was to evaluate a representative sample of New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit (IAIU) files to determine the degree to which investigations of reports of child abuse and neglect in out-of-home care settings were investigated pursuant to professional standards, including New Jersey laws, policies, and standards. A simple random sample of 129 IAIU files out of a total of 1295 (10%) was drawn to represent the universe of available IAIU investigations of allegations of child abuse and neglect in out-of-home care between 1999 and 2002. Findings indicated systematic deficiencies in the quality of investigations and the research team identified problems with the decision-making in 25% of the cases. Results of this study contributed to a consent decree to reform the DYFS response to reports of abuse or neglect in out-of-home care in New Jersey. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Diane DePanfilis, PhD FUNDING SOURCE: Children’s Rights AMOUNT OF FUNDING: $35,518 PROJECT DATES: 2003, 2003- Present (Secondary Data Analysis) PRODUCTS:
Final Report
DePanfilis, D. (2003). Final report. Review of IAIU investigations of suspected child abuse and neglect in DYFS out-of-home care settings in New Jersey. Study funded by Children’s Rights, Inc. Baltimore, MD: University of Maryland School of Social Work, Center for Families and Institute for Human Services Policy. Refereed Journals:
DePanfilis, D., & Girvin, H. (2005). Investigating child maltreatment in out-of-home care: Barriers to good decision-making. Children & Youth Services Review, 27, 353-374. Presentation:
DePanfilis, D. (2003). DePanfilis, D. Investigating child maltreatment in out-of-home care: Barriers to good decision-making. International Symposium on Decision-Making in Child Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, December 4, 2003.
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