Litzelfelner's research article: factual and discussion questions analysis

¶ … Litzelfelner's Factual and Discussion Questions

Answers of Factual Questions

The CASA's medium size program represented 90 children.

The 53% of CASA group reported caregiver substance abuse; however, 35% in Comparison reported caregiver substance abuse.

Based on the cases that had experienced closures, 26.12 months were the Mean number of months for the CASA cases.

The difference of two Mean between CASA and Comparison group is M= 186, and the different of the two Mean between the CASA and Comparison was not statistical significant because the CASA recorded fewer cases compared to Comparison group.

CASA (n-38)

Comparison (n-33)

Difference of two Mean

Number of Continuances

M=1.07

M=2.93

M=1.86

The judges assigned more difficult cases to CASA.

Yes, the researcher considered the findings as sample specific because they applied to only program under study.

Answers of Discussion Questions

Yes, I agree with the researcher that it will not be possible to assign children to both CASA and Comparison because it would affect the study evaluation. For example, if the children were assigned to both groups, the researcher would not be able to test the hypothesis to examine whether the CASA children can perform better than children without CASA. Moreover, the researcher will not be able to evaluate the effectiveness of CASA with regard to achieving positive outcomes within the welfare system. Assigning children in CASA group and Comparison group at the same, the researcher will not be able to evaluate the CASA with regard to:

Case closure rates

Adoptions

"Length of time under court jurisdiction" (Litzelfelner, 2000 p 149).

Child's placement rates

Type of moves

Services

"Number of court continuance" (Litzelfelner, 2000 p 150).

8. Yes, I agree with the researcher. By using the database tracking system, it will be possible to track the activities of the CASA on behalf of children. Tracking the activities of CASA will also make the CASA to be more efficient in their work because they will realize that they are being monitored. The strategy will improve the services that CASA offers to children.

9. Yes, the researcher has been able to convince me that the assignments of CASA are valuable. Moreover, I suggest that CASA should continue their services because many children many not be able to afford the costs of attorney to defend their case under the juvenile courts. If the CASA is stopped, the burden of the work will be enormous for the King County. Moreover, the costs of putting the children under the GAL (Guardian ad litem) will increase because the county will need to employ more personnel to carry out the tasks. Since the CASA is a volunteer program in charge of the children course, I believe that the CASA should continue their services in order to offer good services to children. The cost-effectiveness of CASA has also been proved beneficial to the government given the overburden of the juvenile court system and child welfare. In essence, CASA is a viable option to protect children who have been neglected or abused, who could have been lost in the system if CASA is not available to protect their interests.