Differential Response
About Differential Response
Differential Response (DR), also referred to as Alternative Response (AR), Family Assessment (FA) Response, or Multiple Track Response, emerged in the 1990s to bring strengths-based, family-centered approaches to child protective services. DR provides multiple pathways for responding to reports of child abuse and neglect, recognizing that families have unique needs and circumstances. This approach tailors interventions to ensure child safety while fostering family preservation and engagement.
However, our research has identified critical challenges with DR implementation, including:
Concerns about the validity of the research supporting DR.
Wide variations in implementation across jurisdictions.
Serious safety concerns for children served through alternative tracks.
Who Can Benefit?
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Learn how to apply differential response approaches effectively.
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Gain insights into implementing and managing DR systems.
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Explore how DR can influence child welfare outcomes and resource allocation.text goes here
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Teach the principles and applications of differential response in child welfare.
How Can It Help You?
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Explore the complexities, benefits, and challenges of differential response in child welfare.
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Learn strategies for assessing family needs and determining appropriate intervention pathways.
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Discover ways to prioritize collaboration with families while ensuring child safety.
Key Resources
To learn more on Differential Response, and to download the resources below, visit the Child Maltreatment Policy Resource Center.
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Issues in Differential Response
Differential response (DR), also referred to as alternative response (AR), family assessment response (FAR), or multiple track response, was developed to incorporate family-centered, strengths-based practices into child protective services (CPS), primarily by diverting lower risk families into an assessment track rather than requiring the traditional CPS investigation. This report summarizes the methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the review.
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Discussion of Issues in Differential Response
In this article, the authors responded to nine commentaries by 17 contributors to their article, Issues in Differential Response. The authors found that a majority of the respondents agreed with the major conclusions of Issues in Differential Response and concluded that research claims and public belief regarding DR reform’s safety and effectiveness exceed its scientific support. Learn about the suggestions for improving model building and outcome research for DR reform.
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Issues in Differential Response (Revisited)
This report on DR presents the findings, conclusions, discussion, and recommendations for ongoing child maltreatment practice. In addition to the information provided in the body of the report, summaries of the studies reviewed for this assessment are referenced. The best tools available to protect children and strengthen and empower families are identified to ensure children’s safety without having to subject them to the trauma of separation and out-of-home placement.