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Implementation of Differential Response in Ethnically Diverse Neighborhoods

NCJ Number
224953
Journal
Protecting Children Volume: 23 Issue: 1 & 2 Dated: 2008 Pages: 30-38
Author(s)
Amy Conley; Jill Duerr Berrick
Date Published
2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from an evaluation of California’s Another Road to Safety (ARS) program to determine its effectiveness and validity for replication in other States.
Abstract
The Another Road to Safety (ARS) program is a well-designed, well-considered model grounded in research findings regarding the effects of home visitation, provision of resources tailored to families’ needs, and relationship-based services. Alameda County is the pilot site of California’s first differential response model, ARS. The ARS program uses a differential response model to screen risk at the county child maltreatment hotline and to offer services to families who are screened out of traditional investigation; have a child aged 0-5 or a pregnant mother in the home; and reside in designated neighborhoods selected due to high rates of child maltreatment reporting. Differential response is a relatively new initiative in child welfare in California changing the structure of front-end services by offering early intervention to families who traditionally would be screened out of investigation and services. Following a literature review, study methodology, findings, and results are presented evaluating the effectiveness of the ARS program. Knowledge about ARS will add to the growing literature base which has consisted of mixed results of differential response programs. References