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This article presents early descriptive findings on youths and their experiences in the first 12 to 18 months after leaving foster care as part of the state of Wisconsin's Foster Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study. Findings suggest that the transition to independence is a difficult time for youth leaving the out-of-home care system. (Author/SD)

Parent–child visits for children in foster care are often fraught with tension, particularly between foster parents and parents. Qualitative interviews with 42 social workers, foster parents and parents revealed more positive relations when foster parents recognized parent fears and shared power over parenting decisions with them. Social workers can support the process by clarifying visiting expectations and encouraging foster parents to reach out to parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regular parent visits in foster care are linked to child well-being while in care and to reunification. Parents often face emotional and logistical challenges to visiting. Yet practices to engage with parents by encouraging visits and problem-solving barriers are inconsistent. This study explores the effect of three factors on parent visits among 75 foster children: specific caseworker efforts to engage parents around visiting, whether the visit supervisor is the caseworker or a designated foster parent, and the role that kin versus non-relative foster relationships play in visiting regularity. Logistic regression models demonstrated that caseworker attempts to engage parents have a significant effect on the regularity of parent visits. Focus groups with kin caregivers, non-relative foster parents, and caseworkers revealed a lack of clarity or agreement about who is responsible for engaging parents to attend visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents descriptive findings from a project designed to understand different perspectives about family visits, to pilot a guidebook tool to help participants reach shared goals, and implement best practices. A sample of 133 parents, children, foster parents, and social workers reported their reactions to the tool. Findings revealed that, depending on the role played in visits, there was variation in perceived goals of visits and ideas about handling difficult visits. After using the tool, parents reported feeling better able to manage their emotions during visits, children reported believing their feelings about visits were more normal, and foster parents were more open to discussing parent no-shows with children. Implications for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study explores the impact of parental incarceration on children, from the children''s own perspectives. The sample includes thirty-four children interviewed regarding how having a parent in prison affected their family and peer relationships, school experiences, their reactions to prison visits, and perceptions of prison. The interviews explored both their challenges and their strengths. The children revealed a variety stresses around social isolation and worrying about their caregivers, but also demonstrated resilience in locating venues for support and self-sufficiency. Recommendations for policy, service, and community actions and interventions are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Foster parents who foster more than ten years continue to face similar stressors seen in newer foster parents. • Collaborative processes between foster parents, social workers, and caseworkers is strongly desired by foster parents. • Foster parents find an individualized and personal relationship with licensing workers is a critical source of support. • False allegations and the process of investigations is highly stressful and isolating for many foster parents. • Connections with other foster parents is an important source of support. This qualitative study explored the wisdom and expertise of 19 foster parents who averaged 20 years of fostering experience to learn their most formidable challenges while interacting with the child welfare system as well as sources of support. Phenomenological methods revealed patterns in foster parents' shared experiences. Findings revealed two significant stressors linked to decision-making: 1) feeling disempowered and undervalued by child protection workers, and 2) coping with false allegations and the investigation process. System-level configuration of roles and power placed stakeholders in an adversarial rather than collaborative position. Their licensing social workers and other long-term foster parents were the strongest sources of support. Findings suggest that stressors may be alleviated with an inclusive and collaborative approach toward decision-making about child placement decisions, recurring trainings on the allegation process, assigning a support social worker during investigations, and cultivating an ongoing supportive community among foster parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]