Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this research was to explore how child safety and permanency rates are measured and affected by the review of the literature, data sets, regulations, and processes. The units of analysis were child safety and permanency rates as multidimensional challenges for the child welfare system in California within the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Francisco. Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework evolved from rational choice theory, human relations theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, quality management theory, and systems theory. Methodology. The study was developed in 3 parts: Part I, the review of the literature, discussed the challenges that affect child safety and permanency rates. A mixed-method approach was designed to categorically include all the pertinent data in regard to child safety and permanency rates. Part II focused on selecting the data sources (reports, policies, assessments, and quantitative data) to discover how child safety and permanency rates affect the child welfare system in California and the 3 selected counties. Part III identified the appropriate methodological approaches to complete the study: Yin's (2008, 2009) pattern matching analysis and Neuendorf's (2002) content analysis by levels of applicability. Additionally, Part III evaluated these techniques to identify a suitable mixed-method approach to complete this study. Findings. The child welfare system in California is riddled with wicked problems. Child safety and permanency rates are affected by numerous challenges. These challenges, if not addressed via a comprehensive approach (policy, cooperation of agencies, interoperability of systems, evaluation and accountability for the reporting of data), will continue to bring forth difficult issues to the child welfare system, which can cause disruption to the delivery of services. Conclusions and Recommendations. Research is recommended in the following areas: replication of this study to assess whether all challenges presented in the review of the literature are applicable via incorporation of other methodological approaches; comparative studies among other counties, states, and nationwide; and an investigation to facilitate interoperability in the data-sharing process. The child welfare system provides a great service to the children of California, but the current process needs further exploration.