Article
Who refers parents with intellectual disabilities to the child welfare system? An analysis of referral sources and substantiation.
Children and Youth Services Review
(2020)
Abstract
Parents with intellectual disabilities (ID) have higher rates of child welfare involvement than their non-disabled
peers. One common explanation for the high rates of child welfare involvement is that they are more likely to be
referred to child protection because of their substantial, ongoing involvement with professionals who are
mandated reporters. Professionals are the largest overall source of child protection referrals in the United States,
however prior to this study, there has not been any exploration into referral sources in cases specifically
involving parents with ID in the United States. This study explored report sources to child welfare using the 2014
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System data, comparing parents with ID, parents with other disabilities,
and parents with no disabilities. Secondary data analysis showed that parents with ID and parents with other
disabilities had higher odds of referral by social services personnel than parents without disabilities. Additionally,
among cases that entered the system from both professional and non-professional report sources, caregivers
with an ID had higher odds of case substantiation than those whose caregiver did not have an ID. Implications for
practice, policy and future research are discussed.
Keywords
- Intellectual disabilities,
- Child welfare,
- Exposure bias,
- Reporting,
- Disabilities
Disciplines
Publication Date
2020
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105639
Citation Information
Sharyn DeZelar and Elizabeth Lightfoot. "Who refers parents with intellectual disabilities to the child welfare system? An analysis of referral sources and substantiation." Children and Youth Services Review Iss. 119 (2020) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sharyn-dezelar/26/