THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES FOR POOR, NEGLECTED CHILDREN - A REVIEW OF THE EMPIRICAL-EVIDENCE

This article attempts to formulate a comprehensive assessment of the e ffectiveness of child welfare services. First, factors that would put a family at risk of child welfare service intervention ore examined. T hen various levels of service intervention, including family preservat ion, foster care, group care, and residential treatment are analyzed. Because they are arguably the fastest growing population with the grea test needs, neglected and abused children whose family backgrounds inv olve multiple problems are focused on as the yardstick for judging pro gram effectiveness. Finally social work research and practice applicat ions are discussed and recommendations ore given.