Abstract Despite the proliferation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for children and families, the majority of children and families do not receive EBPs in the child welfare (CW) system, despite their growing availability. One major driver of this lack of access may be caseworker referrals to EBPs given that children and families access services through their caseworker. In this study, we applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model and qualitative methods to understand caseworker decisions to refer to EBP. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with child welfare caseworkers and support staff from two community-based CW agencies that were implementing an EBP, the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Directed content analysis was used and results supported a TPB model, in that 1) caseworkers’ beliefs about Triple P’s effectiveness; 2) agency expectations and culture around referring to Triple P; 3) conflicting court mandates and 4) multiple job demands influenced caseworker referral decisions. Recommendations include increasing communication and training for caseworkers and court officials around Triple P and increasing agency support for EBP implementation. Future research should explore whether constructs from the TPB predict actual caseworker referrals to EBPs.

中文翻译：

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儿童福利个案工作者转介到循证育儿计划的计划行为探索理论

摘要尽管针对儿童和家庭的循证实践（EBP）激增，但尽管儿童和家庭的可用性越来越高，但大多数儿童和家庭仍未在儿童福利（CW）系统中获得EBP。缺乏联系的一个主要驱动力可能是个案工作人员转介到EBP，因为儿童和家庭可以通过其个案工作人员获得服务。在这项研究中，我们应用了计划行为理论（TPB）模型和定性方法来了解案例工作者决定引用EBP的决策。与儿童福利案例工作者和来自两个社区CW机构的支持人员进行了十二次半结构化访谈，这些机构正在实施EBP，即“积极育儿计划”（三倍P）。使用定向内容分析，结果支持TPB模型，（1）案例工作者对Triple P有效性的信念；2）代理商对三重P的期望和文化；3）相互冲突的法院命令，以及4）多项工作要求影响了案例工作者的推荐决定。建议包括围绕Triple P加强对案例工作者和法院官员的沟通和培训，以及增加机构对EBP实施的支持。未来的研究应该探索TPB的构架是否可以预测案例工作者转介到EBP的实际情况。