PERSPECTIVES OF MSW STUDENTS ON THE REUNIFICATION OF CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARENTS A Project Presented to the faculty of the Division of Social Work California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK by Juan Carlos Vega SPRING 2019 © 2019 Juan Carlos Vega ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii PERSPECTIVES OF MSW STUDENTS ON THE REUNIFCATION OF CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARENTS A Project by Juan Carlos Vega Approved by: ____________________________________, Committee Chair Maria Dinis, Ph.D., MSW ____________________________________ Date iii Student: Juan Carlos Vega I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for project. _______________________, Graduate Program Director ____________________ Serge C. Lee, Ph.D., MSW Date Division of Social Work iv Abstract of PERSPECTIVES OF MSW STUDENTS ON THE REUNIFICATION OF CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARENTS by Juan Carlos Vega This study explored the perspectives of California State University, Sacramento MSW students on the reunification of children with their families. The study utilized a quantitative survey research design that asked participants to respond to questionnaire items using a Likert scale. Participants (n=73) were selected via convenience sampling and were asked to respond to multiple survey items regarding their perspectives on the reunification of children with their families as well as indicate their demographic information. Data analysis showed that MSW student’s opinions was geared towards eliminating barriers to reunification, while maintaining parents liable for their circumstances. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed. _______________________, Committee Chair Maria Dinis, Ph.D., MSW _______________________ Date v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first and foremost like to thank Professor Dinis for her expertise, guidance, and quick responses with any question that I had with this project. I would also like to thank the entire Social Work Department staff as their cooperative work and dedication made this a wholesome experience. Secondly I would like to dedicate this project to my lovely wife Andrea, without your support, patience and motivation, this achievement would not have been possible. For my last dedication I would like to dedicate this to my family as well as in- laws, especially my father Gonzalo who never had the opportunity or option to receive an education. -Juan Carlos Vega vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................ x List of Figures ............................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1. The PROBLEM .......................................................................................................1 Background of the Problem .............................................................................. 3 Statement of the Research Problem ...................................................................6 Purpose of the Study ..........................................................................................7 Research Question ............................................................................................ 8 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................... 8 Definition of Terms......................................................................................... 15 Assumptions .................................................................................................... 16 Justification ..................................................................................................... 17 Delimitations ................................................................................................... 18 Summary ......................................................................................................... 19 2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ...................................................................... 20 History of Child Welfare and Reunification ................................................... 21 Mental Health Disabilities for Children and Adults ....................................... 25 Drug and Alcohol Abuse ................................................................................ 27 vii Lack of Resources (Financial and Interpersonal) ........................................... 29 Client and Worker Relationship...................................................................... 30 Parent(s) Engagement ..................................................................................... 32 Government Oversight and CPS Statistics ..................................................... 32 Gaps in Literature ........................................................................................... 33 Summary ......................................................................................................... 36 3. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 38 Research Question .......................................................................................... 38 Research Design.............................................................................................. 38 Quantitative Approach .................................................................................... 39 Rational Choice Theory .................................................................................. 40 Statistical Analysis .......................................................................................... 41 Survey Research.............................................................................................. 42 Variables ......................................................................................................... 43 Study Population ............................................................................................. 44 Sample Population .......................................................................................... 44 Sampling Method ............................................................................................ 45 Instrumentation ............................................................................................... 46 Data Gathering Procedures ............................................................................. 49 Data Analysis .................................................................................................. 50 Protection of Human Subjects .........................................................................50 viii Summary ......................................................................................................... 51 4. DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................... 52 Demographics of Study Participants ............................................................... 52 What are the perspectives of MSW students on the reunification of children with their parents? ............................................................................. 55 Summary ......................................................................................................... 75 5. CONCLUSION .................................................................................................... 76 Summary of Findings ...................................................................................... 76 Discussion ....................................................................................................... 78 Implications for Social Work Practice and Policy .......................................... 83 Recommendations ........................................................................................... 85 Limitations ...................................................................................................... 87 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 88 Appendix A. Research Instrument ........................................................................... 90 Appendix B. Letter of Informed Consent ................................................................. 93 Appendix C. Email to Professors .............................................................................. 95 Appendix D. Human Subjects Committee Approval Letter ..................................... 96 References ................................................................................................................... 97 ix LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 1. Summary of Survey Results ........................................................................... 56 2. 18 Months is Enough Time vs. 18 Months is Not Enough Time ................... 58 3. Children Can Thrive with Anyone vs. Children Need to Reunify with Parents……………………………………… ..…………………………….. 59 4. Family Should Stop Contact vs. Contact with Client Once a Week ............... 60 5. Children Can Be Reintegrated vs. Children can Thrive Well Without Kin.... 62 6. Using Drugs and Parenting vs. Using Drugs and Reunifying ........................ 63 7. Reunification and Client Worker