“There Wasn’t Enough Time In the Day”: Assessing Administrative Burdens Experienced by Parents in Florida’s Privatized Child Welfare System

Authors

  • Chelsea DeMasters University of Florida
  • Maeve Barger University of Florida
  • David Diehl University of Florida
  • Martie Gillen University of Florida
  • Kimberly Wiley University of Florida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JNEL-2025-12522

Keywords:

child welfare system, foster care, birth parents, reunification, administrative burdens

Abstract

Parents with children in the child welfare system face administrative burdens when seeking reunification, particularly in privatized systems where services are contracted to nonprofits. Using the administrative burden framework, this study analyzed three rounds of data from 30 parents in Florida’s privatized system. Interviews identified the burdens parents faced, and sequential surveys determined which were most common and their difficulty level. Findings show parents experience psychological costs, such as stigma and stress, affecting their willingness to comply with case plans. Compliance costs result from conflicting tasks and poor communication with professionals. Learning costs arise from information asymmetry. As a result, parents view the child welfare system as punitive rather than rehabilitative. Practical implications for nonprofit leadership in privatized settings are discussed. 

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Published

2025-08-07

Issue

Online First

Section

Special Themed Issue on Foster Care and Adoption

License

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