Full record(s)

Record no:

1 of 1

Author:

ALLEN April D.; HYDE Justeen; LESLIE Laurel K.;

Title:

“I don't know what they know”: knowledge transfer in mandated referral from child welfare to early intervention.

Reference:

Children and Youth Services Review, 34(5), May 2012, pp.1050-1059.

ISSN paper:

0190-7409

Abstract:

Early Intervention (EI) programmes have been shown to improve developmental and behavioural outcomes for vulnerable young children. Federal legislation passed in 2003 and 2004 mandates referrals of maltreated children under the age of 3 years to EI services. However, research suggests that mandated referral legislation has not resulted in consistent EI referral or service utilisation by maltreated children. This paper argues that knowledge transfer within and between child welfare and EI is a primary systems barrier to, and potential facilitator of, EI referral and service use for maltreated young children. In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted with 11 child welfare workers, 24 EI providers, and 2 public health department officials in Massachusetts. Perspectives were solicited on how organisational culture, structures and standard operating procedures, and resources can support the mandated referral process. The findings revealed that differences in organisation culture and structure, combined with a shared lack of fiscal, technological, and human resources, have created difficulties in referring and serving maltreated children and families. They highlight the importance of facilitating knowledge transfer within and between human service organisations, a process that requires an understanding of the various attributes of each participating system.

Journal home:

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Format:

article;

Topics:

access to services; child protection; early intervention; knowledge management; organisational culture; pre-school children; referral; service uptake;

Content Type:

research;

Country/Region:

United States;

Record ID:

www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/profile.asp?guid=ba7ff85b-b9c4-4247-9bef-0e0685a7e2cd