This study examines how providers decide whether to notify child protection agencies following a substance exposed birth.

This dissertation research study is focused on policies and practices related to child protection system reporting (or maltreatment referrals) following births where there was identified prenatal substance use. I am interested in the clarity and utility of various policies, and the tools or resources that help or hinder providers who are making these determinations at the time of delivery.

I am interviewing labor and delivery providers, including doctors, midwives, nurses, and social workers, who are part of the decision-making team for determining whether to file a CPS referral following a substance exposed birth. I would like to speak to providers who work at hospitals in California. The interview will last about 1.5 hours and no identifying information will be retained or disclosed. I will interview you as an individual provider; your place of employment will not be recorded or connected in any way to your responses.

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If you work at a California birth hospital and have participated in CPS reporting decisions following a substance-exposed birth, and you are interested in learning more about this research study, please click the link below.

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Thank you