May 9, 2008

Consideration of a Differential Response in Washington State's Child Protection System

Differential response systems have been established in states as part of an effort to decrease the adversarial nature of child protection investigations and to increase family engagement in service planning and service delivery. States have seen success in their efforts to increase family engagement in services. Outcome measures include variables that would be expected in a system that separates lower risk families from families with immediate safety threats to children. In families served by a differential response system, there tend to be fewer placements and less court involvement with families diverted to an "assessment track." Assessment track families also received more in-home services. The safety of children is not jeopardized with a differential response system.

Washington currently has an intervention program for some low-risk and moderately low-risk CPS referrals which is provided through contracted service providers and was previously named Alternative Response Services, now called Early Family Support Services, (EFSS). Children's Administration is working with providers to redesign and improve Washington's alternate intervention program. The redesign includes the use of a new assessment tool, service standards, the implementation of promising or evidenced based programs, and new training requirements.