Research & Evaluation
Protective Supervision: An Exploratory Study - Strengthening the Capacity to Respond to Children in High-Risk Families
Title IV-E Curriculum Module
Module Elements
- Summary
- Project Results Summary
- Selected Illustrative Case Studies
- Selected references for additional readings
- Additional Resources
- Suggested speakers
- Discussion Questions
Module Summary
Keywords: protective supervision, judicial system, foster care
Summary
Through state-wide focus groups and interviews with representatives from child protection and the judicial system, this study explored the understanding of and circumstances for Protective Supervision. A summary and striking finding is that there is no common understanding of the concept, definition, or uses of Protective Supervision among the respondents throughout the state. Among those counties that did understand and use this court disposition, reunification was the most common circumstance for its use; however, counties that use Protective Supervision report a variety of differing circumstances. Three factors appear to explain the wide-ranging responses to Protective Supervision:
- The relationship between child protection and the court system
- A local culture of resistance to any intervention or involvement from child protection or the court unless the child is in imminent danger
- The perception of the availability or unavailability of resources to provide oversight and close supervision
Relationship to Policy and Practice
Protective Supervision provides a tool for realizing the federal mandate under the Child and Family Service Review’s (CFSR) guidance that “children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate” (Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 214, November 7, 2005). Representatives in the child welfare and judicial systems who are familiar with Protective Supervision note that it is an important family preservation strategy that has the potential to prevent out-of-home placement and re-entry into foster care.