Integrated data systems are often used to inform decision making at the top tiers of local or state government. Policymakers use analyses based on large numbers of integrated data system (IDS) records (from which personal identifying information has been removed) to understand the overlap between cases that receive services from different systems…

A gap exists between research and practice within the field of intellectual disability. In particular, researchers suggest that personal choice enhances quality of life. Following Bourdieu's suggestion to focus on improving the practice of theory rather than the theory of practice, this paper is a reflexive ethnography detailing my struggles to…

Research of the Child Welfare League of America is reviewed. This research aims to develop guidelines to assist the child welfare agency practitioner in deciding when the needs of children who come to the agency's attention can be better met by service in their own homes or through placement away from home. Initially data were collected from…

Presents a decision-making model which is based on selected philosophical concepts and professional ethical guidelines and is designed to help child welfare practitioners deal with ethical issues in all aspects of their work. Use of the model is demonstrated in its application to selected aspects of a case study involving child custody…