Working With Immigrants Who Are Child Welfare Involved: Promoting Innovative Collaborations and Systems Involvement During a Public Health Crisis

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had notable impacts on public child welfare systems and their ability to serve families. For immigrant families who enter the child welfare system, pandemic-related challenges were exacerbated on top of existing immigration-related stressors and barriers. This study used in-depth qualitative interviewing with child welfare agency staff and community-based service provider partners working with immigrants to explore their experiences in providing services to families navigating this unprecedented context. Results highlight the adaptations implemented to engage immigrant clients and facilitate interagency collaboration in light of barriers imposed by the pandemic. Practice implications center the need for child abuse and neglection prevention efforts to start in community and demand collaboration between government-based child welfare agencies and a range of grassroots, trusted community providers.