Permanency for children: An organizational analysis of first year start-up issues in a child welfare managed care organization

States are grappling with the issue of efficiently and effectively providing services that will ensure children's safety, well-being, and permanency. As a result, alternative methods of intervention such as managed care initiatives are being explored. Currently, Maryland is conducting a 5-year project examining and evaluating the implementation of a managed care system of child welfare in comparison with the state child welfare system. This paper highlights the organizational and implementation aspects of the Project's first year.