The Effects of Alcohol Policies in Reducing Entry Rates and Time Spent in Foster Care

34 Pages Posted: 4 Apr 2011 Last revised: 22 Mar 2023

See all articles by Sara Markowitz

Sara Markowitz

Emory University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Alison Evans Cuellar

George Mason University

Ryan Conrad

University of Southern California

Michael Grossman

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), NY Office; CUNY The Graduate Center - Department of Economics

Date Written: March 2011

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to empirically estimate the propensity for alcohol-related policies to influence rates of entry into foster care and the length of time spent in foster care. Alcohol consumption is believed to be major contributing factor to child maltreatment, associated with an increased likelihood of abuse and longer durations once in foster care. We analyze a panel of state-level foster care entry rates over time, followed by a duration analysis of individual-level cases. The alcohol regulations of interest include beer, wine, and liquor taxes and prices, and a measure of alcohol availability. Overall, these alcohol control policies appear to have limited power to alter foster care entry rates and duration once in care. We find that higher alcohol taxes and prices are not effective in reducing foster care entry rates, however, once in foster care, the duration of stay may be influenced with higher taxes, particularly when the entry was a result of an alcohol abusing parent.

Suggested Citation

Markowitz, Sara and Cuellar, Alison Evans and Conrad, Ryan and Grossman, Michael, The Effects of Alcohol Policies in Reducing Entry Rates and Time Spent in Foster Care (March 2011). NBER Working Paper No. w16915, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1801085

Sara Markowitz (Contact Author)

Emory University ( email )

Atlanta, GA 30322
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Alison Evans Cuellar

George Mason University ( email )

Ryan Conrad

University of Southern California ( email )

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Michael Grossman

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), NY Office ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://mgrossman.ws.gc.cuny.edu

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