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A Comparative Policy Analysis of Family Preservation Programs in the U.S. and in Taiwan

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Abstract

This study compares a policy response to child maltreatment—family preservation programs—in the U.S. and in Taiwan. The comparison focuses on analyses of policy development, implementation, and evaluation under the historical and social contexts in both countries. In order to prevent and reduce occurrence and recurrence of maltreatment, both the U.S. and Taiwanese governments have targeted high-risk families to provide services with the ideology of preserving family. This study first compares historical and social contexts in both countries. The impacts of economic recession, social movements, social changes, and social values toward child maltreatment are examined. Second, this study analyzes the characteristics of family preservation programs. It focuses on the comparison of target population, eligibility, type of services, and government’s role. Third, this study evaluates the implementations of the programs. Strengths and weaknesses of the programs in both countries are identified. Fourth, effectiveness of the programs is evaluated. Finally, based on these analyses, policy recommendations are provided for both countries to address the weakness in program implementation. Findings from this comparative study make unique contributions to modifying the child welfare services in both U.S. and Taiwan.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. Chi-Fang Wu for her guidance and comments. The authors are also thankful to Dr. Xiaoling Xiang, Emily A. Lux, MSW, and Carrie R. Bosch, MSW for their assistance that helped improve this paper.

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  1. School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1010 W. Nevada Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Ching-Hsuan Lin & Meng-Jung Lee

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  1. Ching-Hsuan Lin
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Correspondence to Ching-Hsuan Lin.

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Lin, CH., Lee, MJ. A Comparative Policy Analysis of Family Preservation Programs in the U.S. and in Taiwan. J Child Fam Stud 25, 1131–1144 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0290-8

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