Factors associated with service utilization in child welfare: A structural equation model

A key premise of child protective services systems is that families who participate in needed services will be associated with better outcomes. Using data from 1849 cases involved in a randomized control trial study conducted in three child welfare systems implementing Differential Response, this research tested a conceptual framework of engagement by exploring caregiver, caseworker, and agency factors and their roles in enhancing or suppressing service utilization. The findings from this exploratory study identified particular agency, caseworker and caregiver dynamics that were associated with greater participation in services. Controlling for other variables, receipt of an alternative response intervention, a caseworkers' inclusive interaction style, caregivers' positive emotional responses to their caseworker, and their satisfaction with their experiences were associated with utilization of counseling, employment-related, and/or basic needs services. Unexpectedly, caregivers reporting a negative emotional response were also associated with higher levels of service utilization, no matter the service type category; a finding that suggests that service utilization may be enhanced both by supportive and coercive means. The results of this research enhance our understanding of the interplay of policies, practices, casework skills, and caregiver characteristics with respect to child welfare outcomes, including indicators of engagement such as service utilization.