Substitute-care information systems under public law 96-272

This paper reports on the results of a survey of state responses to the requirements of Public Law 96-272, including the use of permanency planning and periodic review techniques in substitutecare services, and, in particular, the nature and scope of information systems developed to monitor these se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children and youth services review 1986, Vol.8 (4), p.349-361
Main Author: McMurtry, Steven L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adopted Children
Biological and medical sciences
Child Welfare Services
Compliance
Forensic psychiatry
Legal Cases
Medical sciences
Permanency Planning
Policy Implementation
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
United States of America
Welfare Policy
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Summary:This paper reports on the results of a survey of state responses to the requirements of Public Law 96-272, including the use of permanency planning and periodic review techniques in substitutecare services, and, in particular, the nature and scope of information systems developed to monitor these services. Officials from 44 states and the District of Columbia completed the survey. All respondents reported having implemented statewide policies requiring permanency planning for and periodic review of all substitute-care cases. Those surveyed also indicated strongly favorable attitudes toward these policies among both administrators and direct-service personnel. A large majority (85%) of responding states had developed automated information systems for substitute care, most in the form of a central, statewide data base. Only four states reported depending solely on manual record keeping. The computer systems were most frequently used for administrative applications such as generating aggregate reports, monitoring case reviews, and coordinating caseloads. Applications least commonly reported included reducing narrative recording, determining placement availability, and linking clients to resources, activities more common to direct services. Finally, results of a set of attitudinal questions indicated support for the use of automated data management and the belief that it is a necessary technology, but many respondents also noted that automation has engendered complaints and opposition from staff members in field settings.
ISSN:0190-7409
1873-7765
DOI:10.1016/0190-7409(86)90004-6