Center for Child Policy
A Child Maltreatment Think Tank
Differential Response
Differential response (DR), also called alternative response (AR), family assessment (FA) response, or multiple track response, emerged in the 1990s as a way to infuse strengths based, family-centered approaches into child protective services.
DR programs are typically dual track systems, with a traditional track to serve higher risk families, and an alternative track designed to serve lower risk families in a less intrusive, more “family friendly” manner.
Our research identified multiple problems with DR initiatives, including concerns about the validity of the research supporting DR, wide differences in implementation across jurisdictions, and major concerns about the safety of children served in alternative tracks. These issues are highlighted in the policy papers and articles posted below.
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Authors
Ronald C. Hughes, PhD, MSSA
Executive Director, Center for Child Policy
Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Executive Director, Institute for Human Services
Judith S. Rycus, PhD, MSW
Program Director, Center for Child Policy
Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Program Director, Institute for Human Services
Kathryn A. Piper, PhD, JD, MEd
Policy Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Research Consultant, Center for Child Policy
Frank D. Vandervort, JD
Clinical Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School
Kelli N. Hughes, JD
Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Advisors
Jane Holzrichter, MSW, LMSW
Director, Child Advocacy Center and Prevention Services,
Horizons Mental Health Center
Cara Kelly, MSW
Research Specialist, Arizona State University,
Center for Child Well-Being
Suzanne M. Schunk, LCSW, ACSW
Vice President, Family Support Services,
Southwest Human Development