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Dynamics of Unsubstantiated Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Multi-state Study
CASEWORKER QUESTIONNAIRE
Please complete and return this survey to help us understand how caseworkers’ skills, values, job conditions and resources, job comfort and job satisfaction influence their decision making. While we encourage you to share your opinions by completing this survey, your participation is strictly voluntary and you may choose not to answer any particular question(s). The study number at the top of the form is for tracking (so we know who to send reminders) and for combining survey responses with additional data on rates of unsubstantiated cases from your state. (Answers to this questionnaire will be kept confidential. Only research staff at American Humane will have access to individual responses)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Date______
2. Over your entire career how much time have you spent doing casework?
Years _____ Months _____
3. Over your entire career how much time have you spent doing CPS casework?
Years _____ Months _____
4. Over your entire career how much time have you spent doing CPS investigations?
Years _____ Months _____
5. When did you start your current position? Year______Month______
6. What percentage of your work time in the past 6 months have you spent conducting CPS investigations (check the appropriate column) / 0 / 10 / 20 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100SCALE 1: Caseworker Skills
Please rate each item by circling the number that best describes your perception of your skill level in that area
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS / Lowest /
Highest
7. Interviewing
/ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 78. Listening / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
9. Counseling / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
10. Non-verbal communication / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
11. Reasoning / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
12. Empathizing / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
13. Interpersonal relationships / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
14. Cultural sensitivity / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
CASE SKILLS / Lowest / Highest
15. Implementing case plans / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
16. Monitoring/evaluating case progress / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
1
17.Incorporating law and policy requirements / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
18. Fact finding skills / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
19. Evaluating case facts / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
20. Gathering complete and quality information / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
21. Effectively having clients complete case plans / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
22. Decision Making Skills / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
23. Assertiveness / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
24. Following Procedures / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
25. Accuracy of Judgments / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
26. Crisis Intervention / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS / Lowest / Highest
27. Efficiently and effectively handling case documentation / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
28. Workload management skills / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
29. Time management / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
30. Stress management / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
31. Written communication / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
32. Meeting deadlines / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
SCALE 2: Job Experiences
Please respond here concerning your experiences with on-the-job conditions, by circling the appropriate number to the right
WORKLOAD AND RESOURCES / Not At All True / Very
True
33. Even working overtime I cannot finish all of my work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
34. My caseload is too high. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
35. I have too many cases to do a good job, yet I am responsible to do so. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
36. I cannot spend enough time with my clients. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
37. I have insufficient time to properly complete paperwork. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
38. I spend too much time documenting. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
39. I spend too much time on clerical tasks. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
40. I cannot obtain the necessary resources for my client. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
41. My hardest efforts to help a client do not pay off because "the system" just doesn't work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
42. I need equipment or supplies not available to my unit. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
43. I have the agency resources I need to help my clients. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
44. I have the community resources I need to help my clients. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
45. I have the computer resources I need to do my job. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
46. I have the clerical resources I need to do my job. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
47. I am called away from important work for trivial reasons. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
48. I fall behind my regular duties because I am assigned extra work not associated with my regular duties. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
49. My whole day is shot because of unnecessary interruptions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
50. A long conference or meeting prevents me from doing needed work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
SUPERVISION / Not At All True / Very True
51. The supervision I receive is of adequate quantity and quality. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
52. I can get the advice I need from my supervisor. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
53. My supervisor teaches me the skills I need in this job. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
54. My supervisor values me as a worker. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
55. I am able to turn to my supervisor for emotional support. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
56. My supervisor clearly communicates what are acceptable as opposed to unacceptable case decisions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
57. My supervisor supports my case decisions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
58. My supervisor requires that I use standards (i.e., criteria) to address case decisions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
59. My supervisor takes the time to review my case decisions with me. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
60. My supervisor encourages interaction with colleagues in other units. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
CO-WORKERS/WORK UNIT / Not At All True / Very True
61. My work unit is cohesive . / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
62. People in my unit work together. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
63. I am valued as a part of this work unit. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
64. It is easy to communicate with people in my work unit. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
65. I identify with and feel part of my work unit. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
66. I prefer to turn to my coworkers rather than to my supervisor for help with case decisions and advice. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
67. I am able to turn to my coworkers for emotional support. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
68. People in my work unit share case decision-making. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
69. I communicate frequently with colleagues in other work units about case decisions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
70. The case decisions in my work unit are more stressful than those in other work units. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
71. My work unit has a history of high-quality work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
72. Supervisors and workers in my work unit have been together for a long time. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
73. Interactions with others in my work unit cause me an increased amount of stress. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
SCALE 3: Job Comfort
For each item, please indicate your comfort level (i.e., state of ease or freedom from concern) in your job by circling the appropriate number to the right.
Strongly Disagree /
Strongly Agree
74. I am comfortable with the general approach I take to my work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 775. I am comfortable with the type of information I gather. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
76. I am comfortable with how the information I gather is used. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
77. I am comfortable with my knowledge of state policy related to case decisions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
78.I am comfortable with the case decisions I make. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
SCALE 4: Caseworker Satisfaction
The following items address how you feel about your job. They are concerned with how satisfied you are with the interventions you conduct in your current position. Please indicate how well each statement describes how you feel about your work by circling the appropriate number to the right.
Strongly Disagree / Strongly Agree
79. I am satisfied with the interventions I conduct. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
80. I am satisfied with the time I have to devote to interventions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
81. I am satisfied with my caseworker-client relationships. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
82. I am satisfied with the quality and quantity of information I gather about the allegation(s) in my cases. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
83. I am satisfied with the quality and quantity of information I gather about the families in my cases. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
84. I am satisfied with the sensitivity I show in interviewing alleged victims. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
85. I am satisfied with the disposition decisions I make. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
SCALE 5: Values
Please circle the number that indicates how much you agree or disagree that each item describes your beliefs about your work.
Strongly Disagree / IStrongly Agree
86. State policy is important in helping me to make decisions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
87. It is sometimes necessary to bend the rules and regulations to help a child or family. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
88. If a referral appears to be clearly unsubstantiated (the allegations are false or there is no risk of future harm) at first contact, it is inappropriate to continue my investigation/assessment of the family. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
89. Physical discipline is an effective means of parenting some children / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
90. I keep the family’s right to privacy at the forefront of my mind when investigating/assessing CPS referrals. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
91. Children are more damaged by abuse than neglect. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
92. I make my substantiated decision based on the fact that a child was the victim of abuse or neglect. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
93. I make my substantiation decision based on the fact that a caregiver committed an abusive or neglectful act. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
94. I make my substantiation decision based on my assessment that the child is at risk of abuse or neglect. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
95. Collateral information from professionals is more reliable than collateral information from non-professionals such as family, friends or neighbors. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
96. If a worker’s ethnicity is the same as the family being investigated/assessed, this can affect that worker’s substantiation decision. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
97. If a worker’s ethnicity is different from the family being investigated/assessed, this can affect that worker’s substantiation decision / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
98. I am very careful not to intrude unnecessarily in family’s lives when I am investigating/assessing referrals. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
99. I worry sometimes that CPS intervention in a child’s life makes things worse for the child. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
100. Some families just can’t be motivated to change their behavior. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
101. When a caregiver is arrested on charges unrelated to abuse or neglect, and no one else is available to care for their children, I consider this neglect. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
SCALE 7: Intake Decisions
Complete this scale only if your job duties involve intake decisions. For those cases where you are unable to make a decision that the case is either valid or verifiable, several reasons may be involved. Please rate the impact of each of the following on your decision making.
Lowest
/Highest
102. Lack of evidence
/ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7103. Lack of time to investigate / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
104. Non-cooperation of caretaker / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
105. Liability to caseworker / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
106. Conflicting information / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
107. Did not ask questions / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
108. Did not feel qualified to assess / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
109. No contact with caretaker / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
110. Other (please specify) / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
111. Which of the following do you see as your primary decision making aim? Check one.
a. / Investigate abuse neglect
b. / Assess general family functioning and refer for services
c. / Both
d. / Other______
SCALE 8: Definitions of Physical Abuse and Neglect
The following situations are sometimes considered neglectful, but caseworkers do not always substantiate/found them. In your opinion, which of the following situations would you decide were substantiated/founded for neglect (circle your response).
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 112. A 9-year old child fixes his/her own dinner several times per week because the caregivers are sleeping.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 113. Caregiver refuses to accept custody of a returned runaway.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 114. Garbage has not been removed from the home, dirty dishes are encrusted with food, and floors & other surfaces are very dirty.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 115. A child's clothing is frequently dirty and smells of urine.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 116. A sleeping child under age 2 is left alone for 30 minutes while the caregiver uses a neighbor's phone.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 117. An 8-year-old is allowed to play unsupervised for less than 3 hours in an area with broken glass and toxic chemicals present.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 118. The caregiver is in the home, but not intervening in potentially dangerous behaviors of the child.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 119. Child under age 5 plays outside without parental supervision.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 120. A child under age 12 who is too ill to attend school is left home alone while the parent is at work.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 121. You observe home sanitation hazards, but the caregiver has resolved the hazards by the time you are closing the case.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 122. An infant is left in the care of an 8~year-old for 3 hours.
In your opinion, which of the following caregiver behaviors would you decide were substantiated/founded for physical abuse? (Circle your response.)
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 123. An ongoing pattern of shoving, pushing, dragging, or grabbing a child, without leaving marks.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 124. Throwing an object at a child which could potentially cause injury, but does not cause injury.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 125. Putting Tabasco sauce on a child's tongue as punishment.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 126. A mutual physical conflict between a caregiver and teen in which both parties administer blows to each other.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 127. Unintentional harm (such as minor marks, scratches, or bruises) from a regular discipline behavior, such as spanking.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 128. A pattern of aggressive physical discipline such as spanking with hand, paddle, or belt, which does not result in observable injury.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 129. A 12 year old child exhibits disrespectful behavior which provokes the caregiver to physically strike him/her.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 130. A caregiver bites a child to demonstrate why the child should not bite others.
Yes / No / Don’t Know / 131. Spanking a child under age 2.
Do you have any comments on this survey?