摘要: The findings of a study to assess the value of periodic case review for foster children are presented. Case review is defined as a management control device for monitoring the plans and progress of entire populations of children i... 展开 The findings of a study to assess the value of periodic case review for foster children are presented. Case review is defined as a management control device for monitoring the plans and progress of entire populations of children in foster care on a case - by - case basis. General characteristics of case review are described. Two goals of case review are identified: to enhance the security of foster children, whether such security involves restoration homes, adoption, or planned permanent foster care; and to increase the accountability of case workers and / or child welfare agencies. A review of the literature on foster care is presented. In New Jersey, the innovative review of children in placement (RCP) system was implemented. To determine if RCP had any impact on case planning and case outcomes for client children, a retrospective longitudinal analysis of individual narrative case records was conducted. A cohort of children entering foster care in 1971 before the existence of RCP was compared with a cohort entering foster care in 1974 during the period of RCP. Key issues examined were the intake characteristics of children and their families, the type and extent of case planning, and outcomes of agency interventions. Staff participation in the RCP program and case review procedures and their effectiveness were evaluated. The financial costs of reviewing children in foster care were analyzed. There appeared to be irreconcilable disparities among purposes of case review process. Recommendations are offered to improve worker and agency accountability and case outcomes. Supporting data on the study findings are tabulated. 收起