Work

Child protective services contact and students’ school connectedness and absenteeism

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study used data from the Future of Families Child Wellbeing Study ( n = 3,334) to examine the school attendance and connectedness of 15-year-old students who have had contact with Child Protective Service (CPS). Results from covariate adjusted models revealed that students with CPS contact were more likely to be absent, for both excused and unexcused reasons, compared with students who had no contact with CPS. Additionally, these students were more likely to have their teacher discuss their school absences with their families. Although lower levels of school connectedness partially accounted for differences in absenteeism between students with and without CPS contact, school connectedness did not moderate the associations between CPS contact and school absenteeism.

Source: Children and Youth Services Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.109140

Authors: Arya Ansari, Kierra M.P. Sattler

Institutions: The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,000