AbstractsBusiness Management & Administration

While previous research has explored the efficacy of differential response programs in child welfare, there have been no studies to date about coding decisions between designations by child protection service agencies. Research has explored client satisfaction with differential response as well as rates of recidivism and removal/placement but with limited attention paid to the rationales behind coding decisions and re-coding once an initial designation pathway is assigned. This descriptive study uses data previously gathered by child protection social workers to qualitatively evaluate the fidelity of implementation of Family Development Response in British Columbia and the integrity of the program with regards to its stated objectives. Based on a random sample of intakes, decision-making fidelity to code as family development response or investigation was examined by exploring rationales behind coding at critical decision points and mechanisms for re-coding during family involvement with child protective services. Subsequently, this study examined whether cases that had been coded as Family Development Response differed substantially from investigations in terms of service provision, outcomes and appropriateness of family development response for high-risk cases.