Providing Students and Professionals with a Conceptual Foundation and Empirical Justification for Cross-Systems Collaboration

Overview: Drawing from ecological systems theory and findings from a scoping review, this presentation provides a conceptual rationale and empirical justification for cross-systems collaboration in child welfare which can be integrated into courses and trainings. Special attention is given to literature that suggests cross-systems collaboration can reduce racial disparities.Proposal text: Background/Rationale
Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory proposes that, to promote wellbeing, linkages must be formed between the settings with which a person has direct contact (e.g., child’s school, home, and neighborhood). Social workers help establish and strengthen these linkages when they collaborate with other professionals. Accordingly, collaboration is a necessary competency for social work students (CSWE, 2015). Cross-systems collaboration is particularly important in the child welfare system (CWS) where numerous professionals (e.g., child protective services caseworkers, treatment providers, guardians ad litem, and attorneys) work together to promote child safety, permanency, and wellbeing. Collaboration in the CWS may also help reduce racial disparities by enhancing the decision-making process and ensuring families receive culturally responsive services that address their unique needs (Allan et al., 2021; Hurlburt et al., 2004).

Evidence suggests that professionals in the CWS are more likely to collaborate when they understand how it benefits themselves or their clients (Carnochan et al., 2007; Green et al., 2008; Smith & Mogro-Wilson, 2007). Also, adult learners are more motivated to learn when they understand how the content is relevant to their work (Knowles et al., 2005). Therefore, educators and trainers must be equipped to teach current or future CWS professionals the rationale for collaboration. The proposed presentation draws upon ecological systems theory and the results of a scoping review (conducted by the presenters) to provide a conceptual rationale and empirical justification for engaging in cross-system collaboration in the CWS. Special attention is given to literature that suggests cross-systems collaboration reduces racial disparities. The material presented can be integrated into courses and trainings to promote collaborative practice.

Methods/Methodology
The presenters conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies to answer the following research question: What outcomes are associated with cross-systems collaboration in the U.S. CWS? The search protocol was developed in consultation with research librarians and involved searching nine databases using combinations of 47 keywords; it yielded 2803 results. Each study was examined by two researchers to determine if it met the following inclusion criteria: explored outcomes of collaboration, involved primary or secondary data analysis, conducted in the U.S., and published between 1974-2021. Seventy-nine studies met inclusion criteria.

Results
Client-level benefits for children and families involved with the CWS include receiving services appropriately matched to their needs, receiving services in a timelier manner, having a greater likelihood of permanency, lower rates of repeat maltreatment, and improved treatment outcomes. Professional-level benefits identified include more informed decision-making, learning about community resources, gaining clinical knowledge and skills, greater emotional support, and decreased duplication of effort. Although few studies examined whether collaboration can address racial disparities, evidence indicates it can reduce disparities in the receipt of mental health services and out-of-home placement.

Conclusions
Attendees will increase their knowledge of the conceptual rationale and empirical justification for cross-systems collaboration in the CWS, including how it can address racial disparities. By integrating this material into courses and trainings, attendees can promote collaborative practice as a means of achieving better, more equitable outcomes for families.