Provincial Forum on Improving Outcomes for Children, Youth & Families Edmonton, Alberta May 27 th, 2009 Bruce MacLaurin Faculty of Social Work University of Calgary Using National and Provincial Data to Inform Outcomes for Child Welfare

Overview of Presentation  Overview of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003) methodology  Understanding the increase in child maltreatment in Canada between 1998 and 2003  Review key findings of the Alberta Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (AIS-2003) related to indicators of child welfare outcomes  Examine the relationship to the National Outcomes Indicator Matrix (NOM)

CIS-2003 Presentation Team: Nico Trocmé, Barbara Fallon, Bruce MacLaurin, Tara Black, Caroline Felstiner, Della Knoke & Catherine Roy Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003)

CIS 2003 Background Second national study examining the incidence of reported child abuse and neglect. A national child health surveillance activity initiated by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Injury and Child Maltreatment Section of the Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division. A partnership with PHAC, provincial and territorial governments, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, and Bell Canada. Conducted by a team of researchers from the Universities of McGill, Toronto, Calgary, Quebec, and Memorial.

Objectives of the CIS-2003  produce national estimates of the incidence of investigated maltreatment in Canada in 2003;  document changes from 1998 to 2003 & explore reasons for the change;  examine variations in types and severity of maltreatment;  explore the role of selected child and family characteristics on the incidence of maltreatment and on key service outcomes.

CIS 2003 Methods Used a modified version of the CIS-1998 instrument to document nature of maltreatment, key child and family characteristics and post- investigation services. Data collected directly from investigating social workers (except administrative data used in Quebec). Sample: –11,562 child investigations conducted by 936 child welfare workers in 55 sites across Canada + –administrative data on 2,638 investigations in 6 sites in Quebec. Limitations: –Limited to reports investigated by child welfare services. –Most data from Quebec could not be directly included. –Study not designed to make regional comparisons. –No follow-up beyond investigation

Rates and Numbers of Reported & Substantiated Investigations (CIS 2003, excluding Quebec ) / 1,000 children Substantiated 103,297 Suspected 28,053 Unsubstantiated 85, ,319

Increasing Rates of Reports & Substantiated Investigations (CIS 98-03, excluding Quebec ) 24.55/ / % ► 125% ► 47% substan- tiated 39% substan- tiated

Rates of reports per child vs. per family (CIS 98-03, excluding Quebec ) 86% ► 41%►

Differential Trends by Form of Substantiated Maltreatment: CIS 98/03 (excluding Quebec)

Summary Explanation of Increase in Investigations (CIS ) 125% increase in incidence of substantiated maltreatment: –Increase in substantiation rates. –More siblings per family being investigated. –Explosion of reports of emotional maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence.

AIS-2003 Presentation Team: Bruce MacLaurin, Nico Trocmé, Barbara Fallon, Megan McCormack & Lisa Pitman Alberta Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (AIS-2003)

Physical Harm Noted For Cases of Substantiated Maltreatment (AIS-2003) 4% of Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations Indicate Serious Physical Harm Requiring Medical Treatment

Recurrence of Maltreatment For Cases of Substantiated Maltreatment (AIS-2003) 68% of Substantiated Maltreatment Investigations Have Previous Involvement with ACYS

Placement in Care for Cases of Substantiated Maltreatment (AIS-2003)

Child Functioning Issues for Cases of Substantiated Maltreatment (AIS-2003)

Caregiver Risk Factors For Cases of Substantiated Maltreatment (AIS-2003)

Household Risk Factors in Cases of Substantiated Maltreatment (AIS-2003)

Placement of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Children for Substantiated Cases (AIS-2003)

Safety 1 Recurrence 2 Injury Well-Being 3 School delay 4 Child Functioning Permanence 5 Placement 6 Moves in care & 7 Time in care Family & Community Support 8 Parenting Risks 9 Family Moves & 10 Ethno-cultural Placement Matching National Child Welfare Outcomes Indicator Matrix (NOM) Trocme, MacLaurin, Fallon, Shlonsky, Mulcahy & Esposito (2009)

Contact Information Bruce MacLaurin Assistant Professor Faculty of Social Work University of Calgary Tel: (403)