Addressing Benchmark Two–Child Maltreatment Data: Informed Consent, Data Sharing Agreements, and Defining Data Elements for Improvement

Child protective services responded to approximately 2 million reports alleging child maltreatment in 2010, according to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System.

Recognizing home visiting’s potential to reduce child maltreatment rates, the Health Resources and Services Administration requires federal home visiting awardees to report on child injuries, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, and reduction of emergency department visits. Many awardees partner with child welfare agencies to gather data to address these constructs.

In 2012, representatives of the Design Options for Home Visiting Evaluation project spoke about home visiting-child welfare partnerships during a webinar led by the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Technical Assistance Coordinating Center. The presentation addresses key elements needed to develop—

• Consent forms
• Data sharing agreements
• Memorandums of understanding

It also highlights the importance of strong partnerships based on a mutual understanding of informed consent.