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Screening for Housing Instability and Homelessness Among Families Undergoing Child Maltreatment Investigation.
- Source :
- American Journal of Community Psychology; Sep2017, Vol. 60 Issue 1/2, p25-32, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- This paper reports results of mixed methods, population survey of housing instability, and homelessness. Child welfare personnel conducted the Quick Risks and Assets for Family Triage ( QRAFT), a three-question screening tool intended to identify housing instability and homelessness. The QRAFT requires users to assess family housing history, current housing arrangement, and current housing condition, on a four-point scale from 'asset/not a risk' to 'severe risk.' The QRAFT was completed among 6828 families undergoing new child maltreatment investigations. Approximately 5.4% of families demonstrated significant to severe housing problems; approximately one-third exhibited moderate housing risk. Housing problems and homelessness were significantly associated with the outcome of child welfare investigations; among families with substantiated child welfare determinations, 21% demonstrated significant to severe housing risk, a significantly higher proportion than among families where the investigation outcome was unsubstantiated or differential response (i.e., voluntary services). Of significant to severe housing risk families, 15.7% later met eligibility criteria for a supportive housing intervention, suggesting that housing concerns combined with substantial parent and child functional difficulties. Qualitative data indicated the QRAFT was perceived as easy to administer, effective as a screening tool, and useful to 'apply the housing lens' early in child welfare involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HOUSING
HOMELESSNESS
CHILD welfare
CHILD abuse & psychology
FAMILIES
PSYCHOLOGY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00910562
- Volume :
- 60
- Issue :
- 1/2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- American Journal of Community Psychology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 125297140
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12152