Final Report: Evaluation of CPS/DV Co-Location

Authors

Center for Human Services Research, University at Albany

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1-2014

Abstract

Recognizing the significant overlap in families served by the child welfare and domestic violence (DV) service systems, and the benefits of coordinating services, in 1996 the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) began supporting a “co-location” model in which a DV Advocate from a community-based DV program is placed in a Child Protective Services (CPS) office. The goal of the program is to increase safety for families experiencing both domestic violence and child maltreatment by improving case practice and system relationships.

The Center for Human Services conducted a mixed methods study to examine the implementation and effects of co-locating DV Advocates in CPS offices. The methodology included:

• Telephone interviews with directors from Local Departments of Social Services in 54 counties (outside of New York City)
• Focus groups and in-person interviews with CPS caseworkers and supervisors, DV Advocates, and DV agency program managers in 11 counties with an OCFS-supported co-location program
• Surveys of 1,121 CPS workers in 57 counties outside of New York City
• Surveys of 458 DV Advocates in 58 counties outside of New York City
• Case record reviews of 230 CPS reports in three counties with a co-located DV Advocate and three counties without a co-located DV Advocate

Recommended Citation

Center for Human Services Research, University at Albany, "Final Report: Evaluation of CPS/DV Co-Location" (2014). Criminal & Juvenile Justice Services Reports and Research Briefs. 1.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/chsr-cjjs-reports-and-briefs/1