Youth in Foster Care and the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard

2020 ◽  
pp. 107755952095774
Author(s):  
Amanda Stafford McRell ◽  
Christian E. Holmes ◽  
Akanksha Singh ◽  
Sue E. Levkoff ◽  
Benjamin Schooley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
District Of Columbia ◽  
State Level ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Us States ◽  
Healthy Development ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Children In Foster Care

Children in foster care face disproportionate rates of biopsychosocial challenges but social and extracurricular activities (SEAs) may support their healthy development. The Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard (RPPS), a 2014 federal policy, aims to increase access to these opportunities for children in foster care. Analyses of statutes from 50 US states and the District of Columbia (n = 51) revealed similarities and differences in state-level RPPS policy implementation. Building on these findings, researchers conducted semi-structured retrospective telephone interviews with foster parents across one southeastern state (n = 20) to identify local retrospective perspectives on RPPS implementation. Using thematic inductive coding two unique themes emerged about SEAs prior to RPPS: 1) negative social impacts and 2) complicated activity approval processes. Three unique themes emerged after RPPS: 1) empowerment, 2) implementation disparities and 3) resource recommendations. Policy implications include the need to support foster parents by increasing resources (funding, transportation, access), clarifying liability and clarifying motivation expectations.

scholarly journals Foster Parents’ Parenting and the Social-Emotional Development and Adaptive Functioning of Children in Foster Care: A PRISMA-Guided Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Chodura ◽  
Arnold Lohaus ◽  
Tabea Symanzik ◽  
Nina Heinrichs ◽  
Kerstin Konrad
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Developmental Outcomes ◽  
Parenting Behavior ◽  
Foster Families ◽  
Children In Foster Care ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractChildren in foster care (CFC) are at increased risk for negative developmental outcomes. Given the potential influence of foster parents’ parenting on the development of CFC, this literature review and meta-analysis provide an initial overview of how parenting factors in foster families relate to CFC’s developmental outcomes. We aimed to explore (1) whether foster parents’ parenting conceptualizations are related differently to various CFC developmental outcome variables and (2) how characteristics of foster parents and CFC moderate these associations. Following the recommendations of the PRISMA statement, we searched four databases in 2017 (with an update in May 2020). Forty-three primary studies were coded manually. The interrater agreement was 92.1%. Parenting variables were specified as parenting behavior, style, and goals and were distinguished further into functional and dysfunctional parenting. CFC development was divided into adaptive (including cognitive) development and maladaptive development. Meta-analyses could be performed for foster parenting behavior and developmental outcomes, as well as for functional parenting goals and maladaptive socioemotional outcomes in CFC. Associations between functional parenting behavior and adaptive child development were positive and negative for maladaptive child development, respectively. For dysfunctional, parenting effects were in the opposite direction. All effects were small to moderate. Similar results were found descriptively in the associations of parenting style and child developmental outcomes. We found similar effect sizes and directions of the associations between parenting behavior in foster families and the child’s developmental outcomes as those previously reported for biological families. These findings provide strong support for the significant role of parenting in foster families regarding children’s development in foster care.

Risk and Protective Factors Affecting Children in Foster Care: A Pilot Study of the Role of Siblings*

1992 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 616-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.B. Thorpe ◽  
G.T. Swart
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
School Performance ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Children In Foster Care ◽  
High Risk Children

A retrospective chart review of 115 siblings (from 48 families) simultaneously taken into the care of a Children's Aid Society was conducted. These children were a very neglected group at great risk of developing mental illness. There was a significant correlation between the number of symptoms the child had while in the receiving home and the time spent in foster care. Protective factors correlated with fewer symptoms at home but not while the child was in care. Being in care resulted in better performance at school, fewer symptoms and involvement in more extracurricular activities. High risk children made up their losses. While in foster care, 53% were eventually separated from their siblings. Children were more likely to be separated from their siblings if they were older, their father was physically ill or their parents were separated. Children who were separated from their siblings had more risk factors and placements while in care. However, they had fewer symptoms and better school performance while they were in foster care and fewer symptoms at discharge than the siblings who stayed together.

Why don’t they become foster carers?: A study of people who inquire about foster care

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Keogh ◽  
Ulla Svensson
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Full Advantage ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Valuable Resource ◽  
Recruitment Process ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Low Rate

In response to concerns within the Children’s Welfare Association of Victoria (CWAV) about the difficulty of recruiting foster parents, a study of the recruitment process experienced by Victorian inquirers was conducted. The literature consistently reports a low rate of conversion of inquirers into foster carers. This study was concerned with finding out the cause of this low rate, what happens to the inquirers after making a call and why they decide to continue or not continue with foster care?Telephone interviews were conducted with 91 inquirers about their experience of the recruitment process. Only 4 per cent of these inquirers had become carers. The rest were split evenly between those who decided not to continue because of personal circumstances, and those who were discouraged in some way by the response to their contact received from the allocated agency. This result was surprising and disappointing, and we suggest that these callers may be a more valuable resource than agencies suspect. Ways of giving these callers more effective follow up, while recognising constraints on time and resources experienced by workers in this field, are needed to take full advantage of the opportunity to recruit the potential carers among them.

scholarly journals IS FOSTER CARE THE SAFE PLACE WE BELIEVE IT TO BE? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-515
Author(s):  
Rankwe Reuben Masha ◽  
Petro Botha
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Foster Children ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Foster Care System ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Children In Foster Care ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Foster care is an important part of the child protection system; however, it seems that some foster children are not protected – they are abused and neglected. The aims of this article are to confirm on a small scale whether children in foster care are indeed being abused and neglected and to develop an understanding of factors contributing to the abuse and neglect of these foster children. A qualitative research approach was applied. Findings confirmed the occurrence of abuse and/or neglect and provided information on factors relating to foster parents and the foster care system itself contributing to this phenomenon.

Taking Care Triple P for Foster Parents With Young Children in Foster Care: Results of a 1-Year Randomized Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052090919
Author(s):  
Ann-Katrin Job ◽  
Daniela Ehrenberg ◽  
Peter Hilpert ◽  
Vanessa Reindl ◽  
Arnold Lohaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Triple P ◽  
Group Training ◽  
Foster Families ◽  
Parent Group ◽  
Children In Foster Care

Young children with a history of maltreatment or neglect in foster families often confront their caregivers with particularly challenging behaviors. This may lead to more parenting stress, an increased risk for the child in foster care to experience further maltreatment, and placement disruptions. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a parent group training tailored to the special needs of foster families. We hypothesized significant short- and long-term improvements regarding foster parents’ parenting competencies, child mental health problems, and related outcomes. Eighty-one families with 87 children in foster care aged 2 to 7 years participated in the trial. For the intervention study, 44 randomly selected families (54%) were offered to participate in the parent group training. Intervention and control group families were reassessed three times over a period of 1 year. Contrary to our expectations, we found no advantages of the intervention group compared with the usual care control group on any outcome measure. Instead, we found some significant changes in both groups across time. Placement into foster care is associated with some favorable outcomes for children in foster care. Additional support for foster families beyond the services delivered in the youth welfare system to foster parents was not associated with more favorable outcomes. The present intervention is likely associated with a low risk of harm but also with a high likelihood of a lack of significant benefits for foster parents and their young children going beyond feeling satisfied about the delivered services. Participating foster families showed favorable baseline results on parenting measures which may have impeded intervention effects to unfold on these proximal variables.

E-cigarette Tobacco Retail Licensing Laws: Variance Across US States as of January 1, 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (9) ◽  
pp. 1380-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minal Patel ◽  
Emily M. Donovan ◽  
Siobhan N. Perks ◽  
Darlene Huang ◽  
Lauren Czaplicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
District Of Columbia ◽  
State Level ◽  
Local State ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Cigarette Tobacco ◽  
Us States ◽  
Term Length ◽  
Licensing Laws

Objectives. To describe how US states and the District of Columbia regulate e-cigarette sales by examining e-cigarette–specific tobacco retail licensing (TRL) laws. Methods. We coded 25 state-level e-cigarette TRL laws (effective as of January 1, 2020) for provisions we labeled as either “core” (e.g., presence of license terms, fees, and penalties) or “descriptive” (e.g., license fee amount and term length). Results. Overall, 23 laws clearly defined a license term, 23 laws required a license fee, and 19 laws identified penalties for violations that included both license suspension and revocation. Fees widely ranged ($5–$1000 annually), and 8 laws did not explicitly direct fees toward TRL administration or enforcement. No law required that retailers comply with all local, state, and federal tobacco or e-cigarette laws. Conclusions. Most laws contained core TRL provisions. Several laws, however, had minimal license fees and did not direct fees toward administration or enforcement. As youth e-cigarette use increases, more states should consider establishing e-cigarette TRL laws or incorporating provisions into existing TRL laws.

Support for Non-Relative Female Foster Parents in South Africa: Quality of Care and Placement Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Emovon ◽  
Priscilla Gutura ◽  
Ngenisiwe Ntombela
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Children In Foster Care ◽  
The Government

Caring for and protecting vulnerable children in foster care continues to be an important realisation of the rights of children in South Africa. The weakening of the extended family and the increasing number of orphaned and vulnerable children give rise to the relevance of non-relative fostering. This article discusses the different sources of support used by female non-relative foster parents when caring for the children. The findings come from a broader doctoral study that explored the experiences of non-relative foster parents. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion. The findings indicate that the participants received the same support as relative foster parents, including financial support from the government in foster care grants, support from faith-based organisations, and support from nuclear family members. Most participants were self-supported through personal incomes and savings, which differed from relative foster parents who relied solely on the foster care grant. The participants received limited or no support from social workers or agencies. This article concludes that the type of support available to non-relative foster parents is the same as that for relative foster parents, and it influences the quality of care and placement outcome. With adequate support, the burden of caring is lessened therefore improving the quality of care. Therefore, it is necessary to provide holistic support to non-relative foster parents to secure their willingness to continue caring, thus improving the quality, recruitment, and retention of foster parenting.

Caring for children who care: Acknowledging the importance of the natural children of foster parents

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette Tadros
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Foster Children ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Individual Member ◽  
Children In Foster Care ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
The Voice

In the arena of social welfare it is not unusual for practitioners to endeavour to give a voice to the disadvantaged by working to empower clients; placing value on each individual member in a family; helping communities care for each other; advocating for the rights of children and women. No doubt this is all familiar rhetoric to most welfare and social workers. However, in the area of foster care a voice that has seldom been heard is the voice of the ‘children who care’. The natural children of foster carers are valuable members of the caring team and whilst many foster parents are aware of their own children's contribution in caring for foster children, foster care agencies and social workers/caseworkers have not formally acknowledged them or accorded to them the support they deserve. Better outcomes for children in foster care and for families who care will be achieved if practitioners consult with, support, and acknowledge the ‘children who care’.

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