Disparities in reported and substantiated infant maltreatment by maternal Hispanic origin and nativity: a birth cohort study.

We followed Latino infants prospectively through age 1 to determine whether maternal foreign-born status conferred a protective advantage against reported and substantiated maltreatment across Hispanic-origin groups, and whether the likelihood an infant was reported or substantiated for maltreatment varied by Hispanic origin. We drew data for all Latino infants born in California between 2000 and 2006 (N = 1,909,155) from population-based birth records linked to child protective services data. We used χ(2) tests to assess distributional differences in covariates and utilized generalized linear models to estimate the adjusted relative risk of report and substantiation in models stratified by nativity.

A population-based examination of maltreatment history among adolescent mothers in California.

Purpose: To document the abuse and neglect histories of adolescent mothers using official child protection records.

Methods: Vital birth records were used to identify adolescents 12-19 years of age who were born in California and gave birth in 2009. These records were linked to statewide child protective service data to determine maternal history of alleged and substantiated maltreatment victimization, as well as placement in foster care.

Risk of fatal injury in young children following abuse allegations: evidence from a prospective, population-based study.

Objectives: We examined variations in children's risk of an unintentional or intentional fatal injury following an allegation of physical abuse, neglect, or other maltreatment.

Methods: We linked records of 514 232 children born in California from 1999 to 2006 and referred to child protective services for maltreatment to vital birth and death data. We used multivariable Cox regression models to estimate variations in risk of fatal injury before age 5 years and modeled maltreatment allegations as time-varying covariates.

Infant birth weight and maltreatment of adolescent mothers.

Background: Emerging literature suggests that maternal exposure to stress and adversity throughout the life course may have health consequences for offspring.

Purpose: To examine the maltreatment history of adolescent mothers as an independent predictor of infant birth weight.

Methods: Birth records for all infants born between 2007 and 2009 to mothers aged 12-19 years were extracted from California's vital statistics files.

Racial and ethnic disparities: a population-based examination of risk factors for involvement with child protective services.

Objective: Data from the United States indicate pronounced and persistent racial/ethnic differences in the rates at which children are referred and substantiated as victims of child abuse and neglect. In this study, we examined the extent to which aggregate racial differences are attributable to variations in the distribution of individual and family-level risk factors.

Methods: This study was based on the full population of children born in California in 2002.

Understanding risk and protective factors for child maltreatment: the value of integrated, population-based data.

In this article, we argue for expanded efforts to integrate administrative data systems as a "practical strategy" for developing a richer understanding of child abuse and neglect. Although the study of child maltreatment is often critiqued for being atheoretical, we believe that a more pressing concern is the absence of population-based and prospective epidemiological data that can be used to better understand the distribution and interacting nature of risk and protective factors for maltreatment. We begin by briefly addressing the relevance of empirical observations to etiological theories of child maltreatment.

Measuring racial disparity in child welfare.

Overrepresentation of certain racial/ethnic groups in the foster care system is one of the most troubling and challenging issues in child welfare today. In response, many states have started reporting outcomes by race and ethnicity to identify disproportionately high rates of system contact. The identification of disproportional representation is the first step in developing targeted strategies to address disproportionality--highlighting where resources should be directed and guiding future research.

Do drug treatment services predict reunification outcomes of mothers and their children in child welfare?

The effect of mothers' participation in substance abuse treatment on reunification with their children who are in out-of-home care is an important policy issue. This article examines the predictors of child reunification among mothers who participated in a statewide treatment outcome study. Data were integrated from multiple sources to determine the contributions of characteristics of mothers (n = 1,115), their children (n = 2,299), and treatment programs (n = 43) on reunification outcomes.

Exploring the spatial dynamics of alcohol outlets and Child Protective Services referrals, substantiations, and foster care entries.

Controlling for neighborhood demographic characteristics, this study examined the relationship of alcohol outlets with rates of Child Protective Services (CPS) referrals, substantiations, and foster care entries from 1998-2003 in 579 zip codes in California. Data for this panel study were analyzed using spatial random effects panel models. Zip codes with higher concentrations of off-premise alcohol outlets (e.

Understanding the geospatial relationship of neighborhood characteristics and rates of maltreatment for black, hispanic, and white children.

The disproportionate number of racial and ethnic minority children in the child welfare system concerns many child welfare professionals. Few studies have investigated how neighborhood processes may contribute to this disparity. This study examined how neighborhood characteristics are associated with rates of child maltreatment for black, Hispanic, and white children.

Is the physical availability of alcohol and illicit drugs related to neighborhood rates of child maltreatment?

Objective: This study examines how the availability of alcohol and illicit drugs (as measured by alcohol outlet density and police incidents of drug sales and possessions) is related to neighborhood rates of child abuse and neglect, controlling for other neighborhood demographic characteristics.

Method: Data from substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect in 304 block groups in a northern California city were analyzed using spatial regression techniques.

Results: This study found that higher concentration of bars (B=6.