Articles Understanding Chronically Reported Families

Although a strong literature on child maltreatment re-reporting exists, much of that literature stops at the first re-report. The literature on chronic re-reporting, meaning reports beyond the second report, is scant. The authors follow Loman’s lead in focusing on reports beyond the first two to determine what factors predict these ‘‘downstream’ ’ report stages. Cross-sector, longitudinal administrative data are used. The authors analyze predictors at each of the first four recurrences (first to second report, second to third report, third to fourth report, and fourth to fifth report). Findings demonstrate that some factors (e.g., tract poverty) which predict initial recurrence lose their predictive value at later stages, whereas others (e.g., aid to families with dependent children history) remain predictive across stages. In-home child welfare services and mental health treatment emerged as consistent predictors of reduced recurrence. Keywords child welfare services/child protection, risk assessment, services utilization (not mental health), longitudinal research In 2008, about 2 million child maltreatment referrals were accepted and screened by Child Protection Service (CPS) workers (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2010). Although some families are reported to CP