Raithel J, Yates M, Dworsky A
… +2 more, Schretzman M, Welshimer W
Child Welfare
· 2015 · PMID 29443474
This article presents preliminary findings from an impact study that drew upon administrative data collected by city agencies and data collected by a supportive housing program for young adults who are aging out of foste...This article presents preliminary findings from an impact study that drew upon administrative data collected by city agencies and data collected by a supportive housing program for young adults who are aging out of foster care, homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Participation in the program was associated with a reduction in shelter use and jail stays during the two years after program entry. The study demonstrates the benefits of collaboration and the possibilities of using administrative data from multiple public agencies to evaluate program impacts on young adult outcomes.
Using a mixed-methods methodological approach, the proposed study examines the associations between economic well-being and independent living experiences in foster youth. Quantitative data were collected from N = 294 in...Using a mixed-methods methodological approach, the proposed study examines the associations between economic well-being and independent living experiences in foster youth. Quantitative data were collected from N = 294 in-care foster youth using the Casey Life Skills assessment (α = .79 to α = .95). Qualitative data were collected via focus groups with aged-out foster youth (N =15). Results provide important insights on youth's economic well-being, financial literacy, individual experiences regarding aging out of foster care and independent living. This study provides new insights into the complex dynamics of successfully transitioning out of foster care and the need for supporting economic well-being in foster youth to better prepare them to live independently and develop coping skills for the challenges they might experience once they leave the system.
This study focuses on longitudinal housing trends for males and females among transitional youth who were participants of a transitional living program (2010 to 2014). Results indicate that young women were more likely t...This study focuses on longitudinal housing trends for males and females among transitional youth who were participants of a transitional living program (2010 to 2014). Results indicate that young women were more likely to transition to secure independent housing than young men. Demographic characteristics, education, and employment predicted time to secure independent housing. Additionally, results indicate that more highly educated young women transitioned to independence at a faster rate than young men with lower education status.
Crawford BL, McDaniel J, Moxley D
… +2 more, Salehezadeh Z, Cahill AW
Child Welfare
· 2015 · PMID 29443471
Research suggests that youth aging out of foster care may be at higher risk of experiencing homelessness than other youth. Among this already at-risk population there may be certain characteristics that further exacerbat...Research suggests that youth aging out of foster care may be at higher risk of experiencing homelessness than other youth. Among this already at-risk population there may be certain characteristics that further exacerbate the risk. This paper uses data collected from various local and state agencies to further examine significant predictors of homelessness among youth who have aged out of foster care.
This study examines the extent and correlates of family separations in families experiencing homelessness. Of 2,307 parents recruited in family shelters across 12 sites, a tenth were separated from partners and a quarter...This study examines the extent and correlates of family separations in families experiencing homelessness. Of 2,307 parents recruited in family shelters across 12 sites, a tenth were separated from partners and a quarter from one or more children. Additional separations before and after shelter entry and reasons, from parents' perspectives, were documented in qualitative interviews with a subsample of 80 parents. Separations were associated with economic hardship, shelter conditions, and family characteristics.
White L, Delaney R, Pacifici C
… +4 more, Nelson C, Whitkin J, Lovejoy M, Smalley BK
Child Welfare
· 2014 · PMID 28626240
To evaluate a new way of meeting the growing demand for training prospective resource parents, our study compared the efficacy of a blended online and in-person approach with a traditional classroom-only approach. Findin...To evaluate a new way of meeting the growing demand for training prospective resource parents, our study compared the efficacy of a blended online and in-person approach with a traditional classroom-only approach. Findings based on a sample of 111 resource parent prospects showed significantly greater gains in knowledge from pre- to posttest for the blended approach over the classroom-only approach. The blended approach also produced dramatically lower dropout rates during preservice training. Both groups made significant gains in parenting awareness from pre to post, but those gains were greater for the classroom-only approach. Post hoc analyses examined this finding more closely. Satisfaction with training was comparably high for both groups. Gains in knowledge and awareness were sustained at a 3-month follow-up assessment.
Escoffery C, Kegler MC, Bundy L
… +4 more, Yembra D, Owolabi S, Kelley D, Mabry D
Child Welfare
· 2014 · PMID 29249835
Only half of the states in the U.S. mandate that foster homes have a smoking ban. It is beneficial to promote training about the impacts of exposure to secondhand smoke to foster caregivers. This article presents the eva...Only half of the states in the U.S. mandate that foster homes have a smoking ban. It is beneficial to promote training about the impacts of exposure to secondhand smoke to foster caregivers. This article presents the evaluation of a training delivered to foster and adoptive parents in Georgia. The topics with highest values learned were: 5 steps to creating a smoke-free home, benefits of a smoke-free home, dangers of secondhand smoke, and thirdhand smoke.
There is a high level of orphaning in Africa due to war, violence, and more recently HIV and AIDS. This study examines parental death in South African children and examines the differential impact on child functioning of...There is a high level of orphaning in Africa due to war, violence, and more recently HIV and AIDS. This study examines parental death in South African children and examines the differential impact on child functioning of double, single and non-orphanhoods. Bereavement, depression, behavior problems, and violence were examined in a consecutive sample of 381 children/adolescents (51.2% girls) between 8 and 19 years of age (M = 12.8). Parental death experience was high; 70 (17.5%) reported the death of one parent, and a further 24 (6%) reported the death of both. Group comparisons showed double orphans had elevated depression, worse psychosocial functioning, were more likely to be kept home from school for household chores, and were more likely to be slapped. Single orphans were more similar to the non-orphans than the double orphans on most scores. Our study reveals that parental loss should be studied with more fine-grained definitions and that emotional sequelae should be addressed.
Wilson E, Casanueva C, Smith KR
… +3 more, Koo H, Tueller SJ, Webb MB
Child Welfare
· 2014 · PMID 26030990
This study found that youth involved with the child welfare system have high rates of sexual risk behaviors and outcomes, including forced sex, early age at first sex, low contraceptive use, and pregnancy, which are more...This study found that youth involved with the child welfare system have high rates of sexual risk behaviors and outcomes, including forced sex, early age at first sex, low contraceptive use, and pregnancy, which are more than double those of adolescents from the general population. Caseworkers may need training in how to address sexual risk factors and may need to support caregivers in addressing these issues with their children. Findings highlight the importance for case-workers, caregivers, and others to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of maltreated youth.
Research findings have developed a troubling narrative of youth leaving foster care. Congress attempted to address the post-discharge difficulties of foster youth by passing the Independent Living Initiative in 1986, whi...Research findings have developed a troubling narrative of youth leaving foster care. Congress attempted to address the post-discharge difficulties of foster youth by passing the Independent Living Initiative in 1986, which mandated that the states develop services that would prepare youth for life after foster care. However, it is unclear what effect these programs have on post-foster care trajectories. This largely qualitative study examined the perceptions of a sample of discharged foster six months after leaving care. Most youth felt prepared for life and foster care. They were also for the most part were satisfied with their independent living program, but had significant dissatisfactions with elements of the program. These satisfactions and dissatisfactions are reported along with suggestions for improvement. The policy and practice implications of these suggestions are considered.
This cross-sectional secondary data analysis examined the ecological factors influencing the outcomes of families receiving services from a local department of social services to address child maltreatment risk and incid...This cross-sectional secondary data analysis examined the ecological factors influencing the outcomes of families receiving services from a local department of social services to address child maltreatment risk and incidence. The results indicated that families that experienced repeated maltreatment also experienced greater poverty and material need than families with more successful outcomes. This study highlights the responsibility of the child welfare system to address deep-seated poverty issues of families experiencing child maltreatment risk and incidence.
Scotland's child welfare system has developed as hybrid of both residual and universal approaches and incorporates local involvement through trained volunteers participating in children's panels and community-based inter...Scotland's child welfare system has developed as hybrid of both residual and universal approaches and incorporates local involvement through trained volunteers participating in children's panels and community-based interventions. Furthermore, Scotland's move toward independence from the United Kingdom, called devolution in Scotland, has resulted in a resurgence of new recommendations focused on child well-being from birth through adolescence for all Scottish children. This article will explore policy development of Scotland's unique child welfare approach through the children's panels and the commitment to civic participation. It will expand on how recent initiatives, policy, and practice guidelines may have implications for providing a promising, sustainable model focused on child well-being, and may be useful for consideration in other cultural contexts that view liberty and civic engagement as core values.
The primary aim of this paper is to introduce practitioners to the mental health needs of children and families who are under the care and supervision of the child welfare system because of substantiated child maltreatme...The primary aim of this paper is to introduce practitioners to the mental health needs of children and families who are under the care and supervision of the child welfare system because of substantiated child maltreatment. Emphasis is placed on children and families who are receiving foster care services. The paper draws attention to the most prevalent mental health conditions that affect foster care children and their families based on type of maltreatment. Given that young children under age 5 are more likely to be placed in out-of-home placements and to spend a significant portion of their lives in foster care, their unique mental health needs are highlighted. Treatment approaches that are informed by both practice wisdom and evidence-based practice--such as ego-supportive intervention and trauma-focused, cognitive-behavioral therapy--are stressed. A case study is presented as a way of illustrating how mental health care may be delivered to families affected by the child welfare system.
This article presents a high-level overview of the complex issues, opportunities, and challenges involved in improving child safety and preventing child maltreatment fatalities. It emphasizes that improving measurement a...This article presents a high-level overview of the complex issues, opportunities, and challenges involved in improving child safety and preventing child maltreatment fatalities. It emphasizes that improving measurement and classification is critical to understanding and preventing child maltreatment fatalities. It also stresses the need to reframe child maltreatment interventions from a public health perspective. The article draws on the lessons learned from state-of-the-art safety engineering innovations, research, and other expert recommendations presented in this special issue that can inform future policy and practice direction in this important area.
Too often, strategic communication is too little, or comes too late, when involved with a child fatality or serious injury. This article explores the challenges arising from negative publicity around child safety issues...Too often, strategic communication is too little, or comes too late, when involved with a child fatality or serious injury. This article explores the challenges arising from negative publicity around child safety issues and the opportunities for communications strategies that employ a proactive public health approach to engaging media, policymakers, and the public. The authors provide a case study and review methods by which child welfare agencies across the nation are building public engagement and support for improved outcomes in child safety while protecting legitimate confidentiality requirements. Finally, the piece articulates the rationale for agency investments in the resources necessary to develop and implement an effective communications plan.
The way in which a child protection agency responds to a child fatality always has a strong influence on subsequent practice. Very often, organizational responses and child death reviews are punitive and escalate an alre...The way in which a child protection agency responds to a child fatality always has a strong influence on subsequent practice. Very often, organizational responses and child death reviews are punitive and escalate an already anxious and defensive organizational culture. This paper outlines an alternative approach that not only helps staff to manage their emotional responses but also encourages and prioritizes a learning culture within the organization throughout the crisis and in the longer-term.
Cull MJ, Rzepnicki TL, O'Day K
… +1 more, Epstein RA
Child Welfare
· 2013 · PMID 24199329
Child Protective Services Agencies (CPSAs) share many characteristics with other organizations operating in high-risk, high-profile industries. Over the past 50 years, industries as diverse as aviation, nuclear power, an...Child Protective Services Agencies (CPSAs) share many characteristics with other organizations operating in high-risk, high-profile industries. Over the past 50 years, industries as diverse as aviation, nuclear power, and healthcare have applied principles from safety science to improve practice. The current paper describes the rationale, characteristics, and challenges of applying concepts from the safety culture literature to CPSAs. Preliminary efforts to apply key principles aimed at improving child safety and well-being in two states are also presented.
DiLorenzo P, White CR, Morales A
… +2 more, Paul A, Shaw S
Child Welfare
· 2013 · PMID 24199328
Because of the complexity and depth of problems facing children and families today, child protection can be best accomplished through a community effort--not simply through the efforts of the traditional child welfare sy...Because of the complexity and depth of problems facing children and families today, child protection can be best accomplished through a community effort--not simply through the efforts of the traditional child welfare system and other child- and family-serving agencies. Community-based initiatives supporting families and individuals are promising mechanisms through which to efficiently reach a wide range of community members consistent with a public health model. This conceptual paper describes the principles of community-based approaches for the prevention of child maltreatment and briefly describes four initiatives that are providing comprehensive, community-based prevention.
This article highlights current models used in child protection to assess safety and risk, and discusses implications for child maltreatment fatalities. The authors advance that current risk and safety practice approache...This article highlights current models used in child protection to assess safety and risk, and discusses implications for child maltreatment fatalities. The authors advance that current risk and safety practice approaches were not designed to accurately estimate the likelihood of low base-rate phenomena and have not been empirically tested in their ability to predict or prevent severe or fatal child maltreatment. They advance that, regardless of the ultimate effectiveness of safety and risk tools, competent assessment and decision-making in child protection depend on sound professional judgment and a comprehensive systemic approach that transcends the use of specific tools.