What is Differential Response?
Differential response is an alternative to the traditional investigations in child welfare for accepted reports of abuse or neglect. Differential response is an alternative to the traditional investigations in child welfare for accepted reports of abuse or neglect. In most states, for low- to moderate-risk accepted reports of child maltreatment, differential response focuses on partnering with families to provide services that meet their needs while dismissing the labels of perpetrator and victim and removing the determination or finding that is often required by statute. Many communities are using differential response as a way to enhance their child welfare system to avoid creating adversarial relationships with families and increase their access to needed supports and services.
Engaging — Not Just Investigating — Families
Child abuse and neglect reports vary significantly. For example, an isolated incident of inadequate supervision is not comparable to repeatedly hitting a toddler for misbehaving. Nor is either of these the same as the sexual exploitation of a young person by his/her parent. In traditional child protective services systems, without differential response, there is only one response to all of those reports. Child welfare workers investigate the allegation that results in a formal disposition indicating whether or not maltreatment occurred. Currently, research findings indicate that this single approach is not effective in all types of reports of maltreatment. That’s why differential response, also referred to as “dual track,” “multiple track” or “alternative response,” has emerged. It is an approach that allows child protective services to respond in multiple ways to abuse and neglect allegations. The ways in which differential response is practiced varies; however, generally, for high-risk reports, an investigation ensues while for low- and moderate-risk cases with no immediate safety concerns, a family assessment is conducted which gauges the family’s needs and strengths. Research shows that these families who receive an assessment rather than an investigation are more likely to be receptive to and engaged in the receipt of services when they are approached in a non-adversarial, non-accusatory manner. The Kempe Center’s national initiative is exploring differential response to provide the field with comprehensive information and resources. Our initiative has expanded to include technical assistance and training for states, tribes and other jurisdictions on the design, launch, implementation and evaluation of differential response.
Click here for the differential response outcomes literature review
The Kempe Center offers a variety of services to support public child welfare agencies’ implementation of differential response.
For questions or interest regarding Differential Response, please contact:
Amy E. Hahn, MSW
Senior Instructor
[email protected]
Implementation
Interested in implementing differential response in your jurisdiction? Our team has experience supporting a robust and sustainable design and implementation of differential response.
Training & Coaching
Need training and coaching to support your staff and stakeholders with implementing differential response? Our team has experience developing and delivering dynamic and effective learning in both virtual and in-person formats.
Evaluation
Kempe’s team has led numerous evaluations of differential response. We tailor our evaluation design to the needs and interests of each jurisdiction.
Consulting
Our team has extensive experience working with a variety of jurisdictions considering and implementing differential response. We have helped states adjust legislation and policy, complete needs assessments, and support stakeholder engagement.
The Kempe team has supported the implementation of Differential Response nationally (see Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response below) and in various jurisdictions, including Arkansas, Ohio, Nevada, Texas, and Washington.
Current Projects
Kentucky Alternative Response Project
In 2021, the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services contracted with Kempe to support the implementation and evaluation of Alternative Response. The implementation of Alternative Response is part of a larger child welfare reform effort to move resources upstream, better match system response to family needs, and install structured decision-making. The Kempe team has been working with leadership in Kentucky to develop a model that fits their values:
- We work WITH families
- Families are the experts of their own lives
- Children belong to and should stay with their families
- Services and supports are needed early
- Families can assist in solving their own challenges
- Responsibility for safety is shared with family and community
Initial sites have been selected and implemented in Fall 2023, with a plan for full statewide implementation by June 2025. The evaluation team’s evaluation plan will reexamine some elements of previous Alternative Response evaluations, while expanding our insights about family perspectives and experiences with Alternative Response. Lessons from the implementation evaluation will inform improvements to the model and the statewide implementation plan.
Past Projects
Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response
The Kempe Center was the lead organization of the five-year Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response, funded by the Children’s Bureau (2007-2014). This evaluation and dissemination project selected three jurisdictions (Colorado, Illinois and Ohio) to implement and evaluate differential response using a rigorous randomized control trial. Each site was unique but adhered to the core elements of differential response. Numerous products were created and disseminated through this project:
- A Guide for Judges and Judicial Officers
- A Legal Analysis
- An Analysis of State Legislative Provisions
Issue Briefs:
- Beyond Investigations: Current Innovations in Responding to Reports of Child Maltreatment
- Evolving Models of Practice and Differential Response Systems
- Formal Public Child Welfare Responses to Screened-Out Reports of Alleged Maltreatment
- Disparities in Child Welfare: Considering the Implementation of
- Differential Response Differential Response in Child Protective Services: A Literature Review
- Protecting Children: Exploring Differential Response: One Pathway Toward Reforming Child Welfare
- Protecting Children: Differential Response in Child Protective Services: Research and Practice Advancements
Final Evaluation Reports:
- Cross-Site
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Ohio