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Performance Evaluation of Foster Care Agencies using Data Envelopment Analysis: A Comparative Study across US States Abstract: The performance of departments of children and families is of critical importance to the future of our society. However, limited previous research appears to exist in performance analysis in the context of child welfare. We use Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the performance of departments of children and families across different US states. Key inputs and outputs include child welfare spending and re-entry rate of children, respectively. We conduct multiple analyses toward identifying high-performing states and explore additional methodological directions concerning the factors that contribute to disparities in DEA scores. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the performance of foster care agencies and offer guidance for improving the quality of care provided to children in need.
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October 6, 2023 (Friday) 10:00-11:00AM 
Sepideh Sedghi A Ph.D. student in Operations Management at WPI Business School, Sepideh's Ph.D. research focuses on using mathematical optimization and operations research methods to address humanitarian challenges. Her interest specifically centers around child welfare, aiming to enhance it through innovative methodologies. Prior to pursuing a Ph.D. degree, Sepideh received a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Sharif, Iran. Contact: ssedghi@wpi.edu |
