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25-09-2024 | Child Maltreatment | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Child Care Subsidy Generosity and Child Maltreatment: The Moderating Effects of Administrative Burden

Authors: Eric L. Thibodeau, J. Bart Klika, Kathryn Maguire-Jack, Yanghyun Park, Catherine Murphy, Melissa T. Merrick

Published in: Journal of Family Violence

Abstract

Purpose

Child maltreatment (CM) (i.e., neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and/or sexual abuse) has profound and wide-ranging impacts on child development. A significant body of literature demonstrates robust links between poverty/financial hardship and risk for CM. The Childcare and Development Fund (CCDF) is the primary federal program which subsidizes child care costs for families, with children under age 13 (under age 19 for special needs), in the United States with lower-incomes. States have considerable discretion in determining policy options which can greatly impact both the generosity and adminstrative burden of the program.

Methods

At the state-level, using a moderated, two-way, fixed-effect approach, we investigate the association between the generosity of CCDF policies (e.g., copayment size, enrollment income, work requirements, etc.) and rates of child maltreatment investigations and substantiations involving children under the age of five. Furthermore, we examine how the effect of the generosity of child care subsidies on child maltreatment depends on the level of administrative burden (i.e., income cliffs and redetermination periods).

Results

In general, as subsidy generosity increases, rates of child maltreatment investigations and substantiations decrease, and these associations are strengthened when administrative burden is reduced.

Conclusions

Administrative burdens may diminish the impact that subsidies have on reducing family stress and financial hardship therefore reducing the potential preventive effect subsidies have on abuse and neglect of children, especially those most vulnerable-young children.

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Title: Child Care Subsidy Generosity and Child Maltreatment: The Moderating Effects of Administrative Burden
Authors: Eric L. Thibodeau
J. Bart Klika
Kathryn Maguire-Jack
Yanghyun Park
Catherine Murphy
Melissa T. Merrick
Publication date: 25-09-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Child Maltreatment
Child Maltreatment
Published in: Journal of Family Violence
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00748-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on modern management of frailty

Springer Medicine

Child Care Subsidy Generosity and Child Maltreatment: The Moderating Effects of Administrative Burden

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on modern management of frailty

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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