Bridging the Policy-to-Practice Gap: Professionals’ Knowledge, Perspectives, and Experiences Following Passage of Legislation Concerning Disabled Parents in Idaho

Abstract

Parents with disabilities and their children experience disparities within the child welfare system. In response, states are increasingly enacting legislation to protect the rights of these families. As the first state to pass comprehensive legislation concerning parents with disabilities, Idaho serves as a model for other states. This mixed-methods study describes results from an online survey of Idaho professionals who interact with parents with disabilities involved with the child welfare system ( n = 52). Findings detail barriers to translating policy into practice in three areas: (a) knowledge and training, (b) perspectives about parents with disabilities, and (c) varied experiences working with disabled parents. To bridge the policy-to-practice gap, states should increase professional training about disabled parents and expand supports for these families.