Abstract
The co-occurrence between child maltreatment and adult intimate partner violence (IPV) is estimated to range from 30% to 60%, and child welfare workers have tremendous potential to identify IPV when they are adequately trained. The purpose of this descriptive study is to assess whether any training on IPV is received by child welfare employees in three large geographic areas of one Midwestern state. The study includes survey data from 237 (n= 133 public, n= 104 private) foster care case managers and supervisors. Data from three focus groups of case managers and supervisors are also used to uncover what topics should be included in IPV training provided to child welfare employees. Results revealed that 49% of the respondents received no training on IPV as part of their initial agency training and 32% have received no training on IPV during their current employment, although public employees reported IPV training more often than private employees. Fifty-eight percent of survey respondents report they are not sufficiently trained to address IPV in their caseload, and public employees discuss aspects of IPV with their supervisors more often than private employees. Focus group results show a wide range of IPV training received by the state's child welfare workers and highlight the need for collaborative training and coordinated service provision with domestic violence agencies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 386-394 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Children and Youth Services Review |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau and the National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services. The author gratefully acknowledges the participation of the many child welfare case managers and supervisor who made this study possible. The author would also like to extend her gratitude to Dr. Paul Sundet for his support and comments during the development and editing of this manuscript.
Keywords
- Child welfare
- Collaboration
- Cross-training
- Domestic violence
- Intimate partner violence
- Training