The Influence of Child Welfare Involvement on Parent Engagement Among Immigrant Families Who Receive Home Visiting Services

This study examined the association between select demographic risk factors and family self-report of prior child protective services (CPS) involvement among immigrant families and whether CPS involvement influenced the level of engagement in home visiting services. Administrative data on 4896 immigrant families enrolled in the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visiting program were analyzed using logistic regression and propensity score weighted multinomial regression models. Substance use (OR = 4.74, p < .001), intimate partner violence (OR = 5.31, p < .001), single (OR = 3.25, p < .001) and teen parenthood (OR = 2.16, p < 01) were significantly associated with immigrant CPS involvement. Families with CPS involvement were more likely to engage in home visiting services for 90 days–1 year compared to over 1 year (RRR: 3.64, p < .01). History of CPS involvement decreased the probability of early dropout (less than 90 days) from home visitation by 27 percentage points. Implications for home visitation practice and research are discussed.