The need for a paradigm shift in child welfare research in the United States

Child welfare is moving toward a readiness for transformation that improves the lives of children and aligns with the goals of social justice. Because child welfare research and practice are intwined, transformation in the domain of research must happen simultaneously, if not before, transformation in the domain of direct practice. We discuss how the discourse in the field of social work, including child welfare, translates social justice into the individual deficit model that dominates the theory and practice of “professional” fields. We reason that to improve the lives of children, a paradigm shift toward a research agenda and practice that uncovers social and institutional responsibilities is necessary to understand in what ways reform, transformation, or replacement of current systems will benefit children and families while doing no harm. • Child Welfare academia is embedded in the mechanics of the child welfare system. • While using the language of social justice, child welfare research is still focused on individual deficits and not the issue of power in society. • A Public Health approach to child maltreatment would address the contributing social and environmental power imbalances surrounding families.