Examination of the Effect of Child Abuse Case Characteristics on the Time a Caseworker Devotes to a Case

• Main Author: Card, Christopher J.
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholar Commons 2010
• Subjects: caseload; workload; child abuse; case assignment; workload analysis; American Studies; Arts and Humanities
• Online Access: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3567; http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4757&context=etd

This study used an explanatory research model that determined the effect on caseworker time and therefore workload caused by specific characteristics of cases assigned after the child abuse investigation is complete. The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship between child protection case characteristics and the time an assigned caseworker devotes to a case. With this knowledge an informed methodology to assess the current workload of a caseworker could be used to assure that the caseworker is able to successfully complete the tasks required for each child assigned. Further, the knowledge of the amount of time spent on a case with specific characteristics allows supervisors to assess and properly assign cases. Utilizing focus groups and a secondary data analysis of the Florida State Automated Child Welfare Service Information System (SACWSIS) the case characteristics of race/ethnicity, living arrangement, placement, removal and prior removal were found to significantly affect caseworker time spent on a case. Additionally, the case characteristics of gender, age, type of maltreatment, and disability were not found to affect caseworker time spent on a case.