November 1, 2008

Preserving Families, Protecting Children: Analysis of Maryland's Efforts to Keep Maltreated Children out of Foster Care

This paper discusses efforts to keep abused and neglected children out of foster care in Maryland. It reports findings from an analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth that determined an additional 839 children in Maryland were abused or neglected but not placed in foster care during the past 12 months, a 23% decrease in foster care placements. Despite the decline in foster care placements, about 1,105 fewer children are receiving in-home services, a decline of more than 10%. The analysis found only some families are benefiting from the better case practice that enables the safe reduction of home removals. Recommendations are made for the Maryland Department of Human Resources, including: provide more information about efforts to protect the safety of these children; develop a full plan for the implementation of family-centered case practice reform; expand the quality and quantity of in-home services; and track reoccurrence of maltreatment of children not placed in foster care. 4 tables and 13 references.