An Exploration Into the Child Welfare Experience of Parents With Mental Retardation in Illinois
DeYoung, Lori Ann
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/87353
Description
Title
An Exploration Into the Child Welfare Experience of Parents With Mental Retardation in Illinois
Author(s)
DeYoung, Lori Ann
Issue Date
2000
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Wendy Haight
Department of Study
Social Work
Discipline
Social Work
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
Language
eng
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine how parents with mental retardation living within a sixteen-county area of Central Illinois are perceived by child welfare caseworkers, the availability of specialized services designed to address the unique learning needs of this population, and the relationship between the degree of mental retardation and family outcomes for parents who are involved with the Department of Children and Family Services. Caseworkers reported that parents with mental retardation present a higher risk of harm and are more difficult to work with than non-retarded parents. Case-workers also reported that staff trainings and specialized services addressing the needs of this population were lacking in their communities. When specialized services were available, the length of case openings and time in foster care were found to be longer which allow families more time to make progress towards permanency goals. Only mothers who had borderline mental retardation were found to make satisfactory progress which resulted in children either remaining in or being returned to their home.
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