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Discussion of Issues in Differential Response

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Research on Social Work Practice

Published online on

Abstract

In this article, the authors responded to nine commentaries by 17 contributors to their article, Issues in Differential Response. The authors found that a majority of the respondents agreed with the major conclusions of Issues in Differential Response. However, there were varying degrees of disagreement regarding the significance of some of the article’s conclusions. The authors point out and discuss the considerable divergence in the respondents’ definitions of differential response (DR), their assessment of DR reform’s empirical support, and their assessment of its potential for progressive development as an evidence-informed model for child welfare practice. The authors conclude that research claims and public belief regarding DR reform’s safety and effectiveness exceed its scientific support, and they make suggestions for improving model building and outcome research for DR reform.