Frischseminar: Joseph J. Doyle

Legal Aid in Child Welfare:
Evidence from a Randomized Trial of Mi Abogado

Zoom -> https://frisch-no.zoom.us/j/64318637020?pwd=ajlhRjZhbXBYamFGczM0cFZkeFZFUT09

Abstract: Children spend years in foster care, and there are serious concerns that bureaucratic hurdles contribute to unnecessary delays. In a novel approach to policy making, the Chilean government randomized the introduction of a program aimed at reducing these delays in order to evaluate its effects on child wellbeing. Mi Abogado provides legal aid and social services to children living in institutions in Chile. Using administrative data linked across government registries, we find the program substantially reduced length of stay in foster care with no increase in subsequent placement. The program also led to a large reduction in criminal-justice involvement, and we find suggestive evidence of improvements in school attendance. Effects are stronger for boys across these outcomes. The results demonstrate that the improving services provided to foster children can substantially improve child wellbeing.

Publisert 8. aug. 2022 11:39 - Sist endret 28. okt. 2022 11:08