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At the time the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P. L. 104-193) was being debated, some child welfare advocates raised the concern that its effect on families at high risk of involvement in the child welfare system or on families already involved in the child welfare system would be negative. As the debate regarding the re-authorization of this act continues, an assessment needs to be made as to whether the original concern was well-founded. In Ohio, both the public child welfare and the public welfare programs are administered at the county level. A program of research was developed to examine one public child welfare system under conditions of welfare reform in one county, Cuyahoga County, in this state. The program is comprised of four inter-related but separate components: the Policy Study, the Caseload Study, the Cohort Study, and the Interview Study. These consist, in turn, of: an examination of the implementation of welfare reform in the county; an assessment of whether child welfare caseloads increased under conditions of welfare reform; an assessment of how changes in county child welfare caseloads were expressed at the individual level; and a study of the work and welfare experiences, as well as resources and needs, of biological mothers of children in foster care. The research program is non-experimental and, as a result, it cannot be used to show definitively that welfare reform causes any findings that were obtained. It is, by way of contrast, an in-depth case study, that relies on multiple methods, of the child welfare system in one urban county under conditions of welfare reform. This paper summarizes some important findings from this research program to date, in order to make the case that child welfare families have deteriorated under conditions of welfare reform. The number of children referred to foster care in the post-welfare reform period was, on average, higher each month than in in the pre-welfare reform period. In addition, a higher proportion of foster children remained in care 18 months post-placement, after welfare reform than before. Although the higher a child's mother's post-placement income, the faster her child returns home both before and after welfare reform, this effect is greater after welfare reform than before. Finally, although there are no comparable dates for both pre- and post-welfare reform samples of mothers, slightly more than half the mothers with children in foster care after reform were living in "extreme poverty," and many mothers of children in foster care have significant obstacles to employment. (Contains 46 references. (Author/HTH)

Summarizing findings from a forthcoming book, this policy brief examines when and how child welfare agencies rely on kin to care for children who are taken into state custody. The discussion is based on intensive case studies of local kinship care policies and practices; the case studies were conducted in 13 counties in Alabama, California, Connecticut, and Indiana. Findings revealed that the use of voluntary kinship care varied among counties, among offices within a county, and among individual workers. Agencies provided various types and levels of support to private kin caregivers seeking assistance from the child welfare agency. In California, Connecticut, and Indiana, as in most states, child welfare agencies used voluntary kinship care on a fairly limited basis, with few clear policies, procedures, or guidance on when and how workers should rely on voluntary kinship care. The result of this lack of policy was that kinship care could be used, intentionally or not, to influence birth parents and kin, especially in situations where there was substantiated child abuse/neglect. Alabama, like a handful of other states, used voluntary kinship care whenever possible. The brief highlights several issues regarding the child welfare agencies' role and responsibility when abused or neglected children are placed with kin, particularly that child welfare agencies must determine whether to treat kinship care as an extension of the biological family, or as a type of temporary substitute care. The brief asserts that additional research is needed that assesses the risk of different kinship care arrangements and helps guide child welfare agencies and staff in making decisions regarding their role and responsibility. (KB)

This report presents an evaluation of family preservation programs in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Tennessee, and a county program in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Key goals of these programs were reducing foster care placement, maintaining child safety, and improving family functioning. The statewide programs employed the Homebuilders program model, and the county program used a broader, home-based service model. Volume 1 of the report describes the study implementation, the study sites, and families in the Homebuilders model sites. Volume 2, which includes an executive summary, examines services and outcomes for both types of programs, analyzes attrition, and presents conclusions. In the evaluation, families were randomly assigned to a family preservation program or to regular service of the child welfare system. Information on parenting practices, family functioning, child well-being, and caseworker-caregiver interaction was collected through interviews. Information on family functioning was assessed at the beginning of services, at the close of Homebuilder services, and 1 year after services began. Administrative data provided information on childrens placements, reentries, and subsequent abuse/neglect allegations up to 18 months after experiment entry. Staff attitudes and characteristics were collected through questionnaires. Discussions with personnel of provider agencies provided information about services, policies, staffing, training, and the service context. Findings revealed that the experimental group received more services and more intensive services than the control group in all four states. There were no significant group differences on family-level placement rates, proportion of time in substitute care, case closings, or subsequent maltreatment. There were a few child and family functioning items in which the experimental group displayed better outcomes than the control group at the end of Homebuilders services, but these results did not occur in more than one state. There were very few differences at the 1-year follow-up. The report's discussion focuses on implications and highlights the need to rethink the functions, target group, and characteristics of services and to examine the issues of program specialization, length, and intensity. Each report section contains references or endnotes. Volume 3 of the report comprises 11 appendices, which include the screening protocol, worker safety checklist, secondary analyses for chapters in volume 2, and study instruments.(KB)

This article describes the use of an eMentoring program by the Orphan Foundation of America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people move out of foster care and into adult life. The eMentoring program, which allows youth and their mentors to communicate via e-mail, helps foster youth prepare for work life by matching them with mentors based on their professional interests. The article includes highlights of the eMentoring process and a discussion of the benefits and risks of mentoring through e-mail. (GCP)

This paper examines risk factors that exist in the lives of incarcerated parents and their children, focusing on the living arrangements of the children. It uses data from the 1997 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities to address three issues: risk factors present in the lives of incarcerated parents and their children, how children in some living arrangements might be more vulnerable than others, and whether these risk factors predict where a child is placed during the parent's incarceration. The paper begins by reviewing the literature on the effects of parental incarceration on children, then discusses how substitute care arrangements relate to child outcomes. Study results indicate that there are many risk factors in the lives of incarcerated parents and their children. Children are increasingly likely to be placed with someone other than a parent, and are particularly likely to be placed in foster or agency care, as the number of risk factors rises. For both mothers and fathers, four risk factors significantly relate to child placement in foster care or an agency (history of physical or sexual abuse, less than a 12th grade education, and welfare benefit receipt). History of mental health problems is not a significant factor. Some gender and racial differences are present. (Contains 92 references and 6 tables.) (SM)

In 1997, the Community Alternative Placement Scheme (CAPS) was organized by NCH Action for Children (Scotland) to provide family placements for youth who would otherwise enter or remain in secure care. This evaluation study assessed the extent to which CAPS met its goals during the first 3 years of operation and examined the program's impact on the youth placed. Core elements of CAPS included foster care provider payment equivalent to a reasonable salary, intensive support to carers, specialist training, time-limited placement, automatic entitlement to respite care, individualized programs, and educational support. The study followed 20 CAPS youth and a comparison sample of youth in secure care for 2 years after placement started. Data were gathered from case records and interviews with youth, foster carers, CAPS staff, local authority social workers, and managers. Findings revealed that in less than 3 years, CAPS became well established as a key fostering service, attracting people who would not otherwise have considered becoming foster carers. The placement length was revised from the initial 6 months to 6 to 12 months. Over time, the relationship between the carers and the project staff became clarified. CAPS demonstrated the feasibility of this foster care scheme in Scotland. Most of the placements did not end in accordance with planned duration or goals but others provided stable, positive experiences on an enduring basis. In nearly all CAPS placements youth, carers, and social workers thought youth had benefited, but progress measures and outcomes produced mixed results. Improving access to additional educational support and psychological services emerged as a key requirement in extending foster care's potential to provide family-based care for youth with significant difficulties. (Contains 11 references.) (KB)

This article highlights the importance of involving foster youth speak for themselves, particularly about what they need and deserve as they prepare to move out of the foster care system. Descriptions of innovative and effective programs and legislation that encourage leadership skills in foster children are included, such as the California Youth Connection, Youth Grow Nebraska, and tuition waiver models. Includes a table of leading state programs. (GCP)

This study examined characteristics of youth emancipated from child welfare (ECW) and probation (EPR) supervised foster care; receipt of mental health services for emancipating youth; births to emancipating females; deaths of youth who emancipated from foster care; receipt of Medi-Cal due to AFDC/TANF, SSI/disability, or medical indigence after emancipation; and receipt of GED, community college enrollment, California Youth Authority involvement, and state prison involvement for emancipating youth. Data were collected from seven state agencies that served youths, linked, and provided to the researchers. Results indicated that youth emancipating from the child welfare system who had 5 or more placements generally experienced the worst outcomes. A substantial minority of young women became pregnant in child welfare supervised foster care, or shortly after emancipation. About 40 percent of ECW youth were in foster care for more than 5 years, and over 60 percent were female. ECW and EPR youth received some mental health services before emancipation. About 75 percent of EPR youth were male, and most were placed in group or FFA homes. Few youths progressed through the community college system. A small proportion of males entered the state prison system after leaving child welfare. (Contains 15 references.) (SM)

Noting that resurgence of the "orphanage" controversy has recently brought public attention to the child welfare system in Minnesota, this report notes that the child welfare system is not well understood and focuses debate on the needs of children who cannot live at home. Following introductory remarks and highlights from the text, the report describes characteristics of the Minnesota welfare system, including a discussion of the best interest of the child as the system's guiding concept, legislation shaping the system, licensing rules, and the continuum of care. Children entering the child welfare system are described and placement data for the year 2000 are presented. The report next discusses the needs of several child populations of concern: fragile infants with medical conditions, multiple problem children, older adolescents with a history of problems, homeless Native American youth, adolescents needing an acute care response in a hospital setting, and children in large sibling groups. Evidence from the child welfare field is presented to highlight that placement in large institutions is unsuitable for young children, that young children in family settings have better developmental outcomes, and that permanency is lessened under institutional care. The report then explores the possibility of educational academies as an option for older, intellectually competent children. A recommendation that a moratorium be enacted and a study of children's needs be conducted before large-scale institutions be considered for care of children unable to remain at home concludes the report. Appended are: Federal Policy Framework for Child Welfare Practice; Components of the System of Care; and Reviving the Orphanage Option for Children Who Cannot Remain in the Family: An Historical Note. (Contains 45 references.) (KB)

This document is the last in a series of reports issued by the Special Child Welfare Advisory Panel of the Annie E. Casey Foundation over the past 3 years. The Panel reviewed the operations of New York City's Administration for Children's Services and its efforts toward reform. The Panel was created as a mechanism by which parties to a lawsuit, Marisol v. Giuliani, were able to suspend their differences in favor of a more affirmative effort to work together to further child welfare reform in New York City. This report addresses the major challenges facing the new city administration and identifies strategies it can use to confront these challenges. It begins by examining the role of the mayor in supporting continued child welfare reform, proposing a series of steps to demonstrate continued commitment from City Hall to the child welfare reform effort. It goes on to review the fundamental strategies that must be pursued to create continued progress, examining what each strategy means in practical terms, why it matters, what has been accomplished in the past several years, and what remains to be done. After describing the role of some of the other key stakeholders (e.g., the state government) in this system, the report offers future advice for leadership and accountability in this effort. (SM)

Having recognized that young people under 25 years of age were among the state's greatest resources, the Louisiana Workforce Commission convened ten state agencies to form the Youth Policy Network (LYPN) to develop an interagency collaboration to help Louisiana youth acquire the necessary skills for success in education and employment. The LYPN identified essential assumptions, strategies and outcomes that sustain healthy growth and development for youth, such as the following: (1) investment in youth programs is vital to the state's economic prosperity; (2) all youth learn in the context of both family and community; (3) community development approaches should emphasize protective factors and decrease risk factors for youth; and, (4) youth development is holistic and all involved agencies must cooperate and not act alone. These three populations were identified as most vulnerable among Louisiana's youth: (1) 13 year olds; (2) out of school youth; and, (3) youth aging out of foster care. Foremost among the recommendations were a recognition of the need for greater agency accountability and attention to stakeholders. Future goals of the LYPN were described as increasing the capacity building of regional organizations working with youth, implementation of logic models developed by LYPN, and development of a collaborative, partner-based strategic action plan. A list and description of LYPN members is appended. (AJ)

This brief presents an overview of the well-being of children within the child welfare system using data from the 1997 and 1999 National Survey of America's Families. Both surveys included economic, health, and social characteristics of more over 44,000 households. This analysis used information on children under 18 years of age. Researchers examined a cross-section of children placed by the child welfare system with nonrelative foster parents or in a relative's home. Overall, many of these children were not faring well emotionally, behaviorally, educationally, or physically. About 27 percent showed high levels of behavioral and emotional problems, 39 percent displayed low school engagement, and 28 percent had physical, learning, or mental health conditions that limited their activities. On each measure, children living with parents were doing significantly better. Children living in single-parent, low-income families had better well-being than children in child welfare. Nearly one-third of children with high levels of behavioral and emotional problems had not received mental health services, 16 percent were not covered by health insurance at some point in the past year, and 20-40 percent received no preventive health or dental care. (Contains 18 references.) (SM)

This report presents findings from two studies: (1) a national policy survey of Scottish local authorities and other service providers to explore arrangement for providing throughcare and aftercare to youth in out-of-home care under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995; and (2) an in-depth study of the experience of youth leaving the care of three Scottish local authorities. Among the main findings of the policy survey are that most authorities offered a planned throughcare program but less than half of youth had received one. There was evidence of significant variation in throughcare and aftercare arrangements across Scotland, with many authorities extending and improving services. The lack of adequate systems for monitoring and evaluation and for identifying the number of youth eligible for services was apparent. There was a strong commitment among authorities to consider the view of youth in planning and policy development. Findings of the youth survey indicated that almost two-thirds of participants had no standard grade qualifications and most had experiences of truancy and exclusion. Almost three-quarters left out of home care at 15 or 16 years of age. A third had experienced four or more placement moves during their last care episode. The ability to access and return to services when needed was crucial for youth finding their way through the challenges of post-care living. (KB)

This report summarizes findings from a statewide analysis of the educational attainment of foster youth in Washington's public school system. It analyzes various factors related to educational success, comparing the outcomes of youth in long-term foster care with the state's school-age population. The report merges data from the child welfare system and the public schools to detail the educational experience of students, including foster youth, from elementary school through high school completion. On average, foster youth score 15 to 20 percentile points below non-foster youth on statewide achievement tests. Only 59 percent of foster youth enrolled in 11th grade complete high school by the end of grade 12. The completion rate for non-foster youth is 86 percent. At both the elementary and secondary levels, twice as many foster youth have repeated a grade, changed schools during the year, or enrolled in special education programs compared with non-foster youth. A youth's length of stay in foster care and other placement characteristics do not appear to relate to educational attainment. Three appendices present regression results for schoolwide assessments, long-term foster youth assessments, and grade 11 high school completion. (SM)

Noting that foster care is in a state of flux and that existing systems of foster care are under pressure in many parts of the world, this report extracts lessons regarding the practice of foster care from a range of countries at various stages of economic and social development. The report examines foster care in the context of the family, social networks, the state and nongovernmental organizations, and from the point of view of professional support provided in different contexts. The discussion is set against the backdrop of international human development in which the notion of empowerment of all the stakeholders has gained particular prominence. Recommendations to improve the condition of children in need of foster care include: (1) more attention to preventive measures; (2) establishment of child-friendly public policies; (3) increased focus on personal accounts of foster children; (4) pursuit of a pro-family policy; (5) exploration of social networks for their foster caring potential; (6) increased professionalization of foster care; (7) creation of a research agenda; and (8) enhanced international cooperation in foster care. (Contains 14 references.) (KB)

In order to address problems related to the health care of children in foster care, policymakers need detailed information about health status, health care utilization, and Medicaid expenditures. This policy brief summarizes a study examining health care utilization and expenditures paid by Medicaid for children in foster care in California, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Data were obtained from the State Medicaid Research Files for the most recent years available in each state (1994 and 1995 for California and Florida, 1993 and 1994 for Pennsylvania). The study population was made up of children under age 19 with a foster care placement during the year. The 3 comparison groups included children under age 19 who received adoption assistance, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or Supplemental Security Income benefits because of disability. Among the main findings of the study are the following: (1) children in foster care represent between one and three percent of Medicaid children but between four and eight percent of Medicaid expenditures; (2) most children were enrolled in Medicaid before they entered foster care, but between one-third and one-half lost their Medicaid coverage when they left foster care; (3) children in foster care were more likely than other groups of Medicaid children to have a mental health or substance abuse problem; and (4) health care utilization varied considerably across the three states, with foster children in California less likely to receive health care services than foster children in the other two states. (KB)

As part of a series of reports designed to support the implementation of Proposition 10: The California Children and Families Act and to provide comprehensive and authoritative information on critical issues concerning young children and families in California, this report examines the current situation for children who have been maltreated by their parents and who are served by the child welfare system. The report provides background information on the current design of the state's child welfare system and data on the numbers of children affected by maltreatment. The report also describes how young children are disproportionately affected by child maltreatment and how their unique vulnerabilities are exposed and often exacerbated by the system. Some of the problems currently affecting child welfare are described, and a series of innovative program approaches are offered that suggest alternative service designs that are now being implemented for young children. The report asserts that Proposition 10 commissioners have the opportunity to offer both financial assistance as well as a fresh perspective on the developmental needs of young children and the factors associated with healthy development, and thus can have a positive impact on truly disadvantaged children. Finally, the report argues that by focusing on preventive services for vulnerable families, catalyzing coordination among existing service systems, and targeting service delivery to the critical transition points in children's lives, the developmental trajectory of many youngsters may be improved considerably. The report's two appendices list useful organizations and experts and identify child welfare funding sources in California. (Contains 111 references.) (KB)

The Special Child Welfare Advisory Panel of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, created by the 1998 Marisol class action suit, has spent two years examining the work of New York City's Administration for Children's Services (ACS). This panel reviewed the operations of ACS, consulting with caseworkers, managers, lawyers and other advocates, birth parents, and foster families. The settlement agreement assigned the Panel the task of determining whether the ACS was acting in good faith in making efforts toward reform in the operational areas of New York City's child welfare system being reviewed. Part 1 presents an introduction to the issue. Part 2 examines changes in New York City's child welfare system over the past several years, incorporating statistical evidence and an examination of policy, system, and practice changes that have actually been implemented by ACS and contract agencies. Part 3 examines changes that are currently being implemented or planned. It is organized around recommendations and benchmarks in the Panel's prior reports. Part 4 identifies activities that would be most effective in producing further broad, lasting improvements in New York City's child welfare system, identifying two themes around which ACS could build its next set of reform efforts and suggesting concrete actions related to those themes. An appendix presents results from a questionnaire concerning front line and supervisory practice. (SM)

Children in foster care are the most educationally at risk population in New York City, and the longstanding failure of the responsible agencies to address the educational needs of foster children in New York City is a problem that has, for the most part, been ignored. This paper reports on a study aimed at creating a database to inform the delivery of educational services to children in foster care. Data collection involved the dissemination and collection of more than 280 surveys competed by foster and biological parents, educators, social workers, case workers, education professionals, lawyers, and foster children themselves. Most of the biological parents responding (89%) said that they were unaware of, and never informed about, the Early Intervention program while their children were in foster care, and half of foster parents did not know about this program. Only 18% of foster parents reported that children in their care were enrolled in preschool programs. Forty-two percent of the foster children stated that they did not start school immediately on entering foster care, and over 75% stated that they did not remain in their school once placed in foster care, with nearly 65% reporting that they transferred in the middle of the school year. Thirty percent of foster care youth reported receiving special education services, nearly three times the average for New York City. More than half of the young people who responded (52%) reported that they did not feel prepared to support themselves after they left foster care, and over 50% were not satisfied with the quality of the education received while in foster care. These findings and others demonstrate the lack of attention paid to the education of children in foster care. Recommendations are made to improve educational services for these children, while meeting federal, state, and local requirements. (SLD)

This study provides updated information about states' kinship care policies for children in foster care based on a survey conducted in 1999. Almost all states give preference to and seek out kin when placing a child in foster care. However, states vary in the way that they assess and support kinship care. Most states assess kin differently than nonkin foster parents. Some kin receive foster care payments while others are supported with lesser payments. The paper also analyzes the impacts of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) final rule on kinship care and discusses the challenge of creating kinship care policies that ensure child safety and address the unique needs of kin. The ASFA requires that a state's kinship care standards be the same as its nonkinship foster care licensing requirements, but it does not require that policies be uniform across the states. (Contains 4 figures, 6 tables, and 43 references.) (SLD)

As part of their efforts to help the child welfare system develop integrated strategies, approaches, and policies that assist agencies as they recruit and prepare foster families, adoptive families, and staff to meet the needs of adolescents in foster care, the National Resource Center for Youth Development engaged in a year-long study of child welfare policy that included a review of federally funded adolescent adoption demonstration projects and sponsorship of a think tank to address the issues associated with the Adoption and Safe Families Act in relationship to adolescents. This three-part monograph provides information on issues and possibilities related to permanency for adolescents, implications of permanency on independent living services, and barriers to adolescent permanency. Part 1 provides an overview of the permanency issues for older youth in care, including a discussion of adolescent needs and barriers to adolescent adoption or permanent placements. Part 2 presents findings and outcomes of the Adolescents and Permanency Think Tank which brought together state independent living coordinators, state foster care workers, state adoption workers, and youth to work in small groups to identify specific strategies related to relationships with caring peers and adults, youth-driven change, youth-defined family connections, organization and workforce enhancement, and adoption as an option. Part 3 offers eight recommendations for achieving permanency for adolescents as a national agenda and challenge to states to focus on adolescents' specific needs. The report's four appendices list Think Tank partcipants and summarize group discussions and force field analysis results. (Contains 22 references.) (KB)

Every year the New York City foster care system discharges approximately 650 young people between the ages of 18 and 21 to live on their own. This study was conducted to determine how the voluntary foster care agencies in New York City have interpreted state and city independent living regulations and implemented programming and services that lead to self-sufficiency for these young people. Also considered was whether the state and city regulations are adequate to support these young adults. Members of a task force interviewed independent living coordinators at 10 of the 62 voluntary foster care agencies in New York City. Task force members also reviewed the records of youth who had left foster care and conducted a focus group of 15 young people receiving independent living services at 1 foster care agency. Based on study findings, the task force recommends: (1) evaluation of the city's independent living program; (2) permanent housing, employment, health insurance coverage, and graduation from high school for youth who sign themselves out; (3) expansion of the core curriculum of the independent living program to include practical opportunities to find a job and other living skills; (4) funding to strengthen aftercare and follow-up services; (5) requirement of job experience and employment for all youth at the point of discharge; and (6) a permanent home for all youth at the time of discharge. Two appendixes list members of the task force and contain the study questionnaire. (SLD)

This publication examines racial, ethnic, and cultural identity development in children in out-of-home care. In the field of foster care, the overrepresentation of children of color and the prevalence of cross-cultural placements compel practitioners and caregivers to attend to issues of ethnic identity formation. Information comes from focus group interviews with foster parents and youth and with alumni of the Casey Family Programs (which provides a range of permanency planning services for children and youth); interviews with practitioners; consultation with experts; and field notes from conversations with Casey staff and families at staff meetings and other functions. Part 1, "A Conceptual Overview," reviews and integrates the research and theory on ethnic identity and related concepts such as racial and ethnic socialization and social constancy theory. Part 2, "Ethnic Identity for Children and Youth in Out-of-Home Care," explores the implications and challenges of ethnic identity for youth in foster care and other out-of-home placements (e.g., the importance of birth family work for healthy ethnic identity, developmental issues in the formation of healthy ethnic identity, and characteristics of the placement that promote healthy ethnic identity). Part 3, "Implications for Practice," examines pre-placement and placement practices and discusses when to worry, highlighting environmental red flags related to system responsiveness, attitudes, and behavior. Specific recommendations for practice are presented. Appendixes contain a glossary of terms and an annotated bibliography. (Contains 77 references.) (SM)

This study reports on the Little Hoover Commission's investigation of California's mechanisms for caring for abused and neglected children. Fourteen major findings and corresponding recommendations for addressing findings are presented. The report begins with a brief executive summary, introduction, and background information. The first section addresses findings in the area of ensuring the "Highest Quality of Care." The recommendations address committing to help abused children, managing for improvement, assessing performance, and thinking long-term. The second section addresses findings in the area of "Targeted Abuse Prevention and Early Intervention." The recommendations for this area address intervening early, assessing risk, and watching welfare reform. The third section addresses findings in the area of implementing "Quality Short-Term Foster Care." The recommendations address ensuring temporary placement, healing alcohol and drug abuse, enabling relative foster care, and delivering comprehensive services. The fourth section of the report addresses findings in the area of "Improved Long-Term Outcomes." The relevant recommendations address reengineering the adoption process, supporting permanent placement and assisting independence. Following some brief concluding comments, four appendices include lists of advisory committee members, Little Hoover Commission Public Hearing Witnesses, legislation cited in the report, and methodology for foster care projections. (Contains 141 notes, and 28 charts and graphs.) (SD)

This study examined the extent and characteristics of parental substance abuse among foster care cases, the difficulties agencies face in making timely permanency decisions for foster children with substance abusing parents, and initiatives that address reunifying families or achieving other permanency outcomes in a timely manner for foster children whose parents are substance abusers. Information sources included a survey of California and Illinois caseworkers for random samples of foster care cases, and case studies of foster care programs in California, Illinois, and Louisiana. The findings indicate that two-thirds of foster children in California and Illinois had at least one parent who abused drugs or alcohol, and most had been doing so for at least 5 years. Substance abusers often abandoned or neglected their children because their primary focus was obtaining and using drugs or alcohol, placed their children at risk when they engaged in criminal activity to support their habit, and had periods of relapse during addiction recovery. Foster care agencies faced difficulties in helping parents enter treatment programs, in monitoring parents' progress in treatment, and in trying to achieve adoption or guardianship after family reunification efforts failed. To accommodate children's need for timely permanency decisions, some locations launched collaborations involving drug treatment providers, the courts, and other organizations to help parent obtain treatment and to monitor their progress. Other initiatives involved helping foster care agencies quickly achieve other permanency outcomes. In addition, some programs encouraged relatives of children in foster care to adopt or become legal guardians. (KB)

In this paper, an overview of children's psychological processes is presented within the context of adoption, foster care, or other type of placement which requires the child to develop the coping skills necessary to continue toward optimal growth psychologically, cognitively, and socially. Findings from a research review indicate that children raised in loving, caring, secure, consistent, and stable environments have a greater probability of developing socially, psychologically, physically, emotionally, and morally. Further, when alternative placements are necessary, if the child is placed in an appropriate setting the probability of the child achieving optimal growth through the developmental stages is greatly increased, provided that there is a sense of permanency. The probability of optimal growth is contingent on the willingness of the new primary caregivers to provide a safe and loving environment. Children faced with an uncertainty in their placements, whether long-term foster care or questionable placement with a biological parent that is subject to change, were found to have an increased probability of social maladjustment over their adopted counterparts. Regardless of the placement decision, the report finds that the earlier a permanent placement is determined, the better the chances for the child's adjustment. (Contains 33 references.) (CR)

Family foster care, the mainstay of public child welfare systems, is in critical need of reform. Following a discussion of the efforts of the Annie E. Casey Foundation to assist communities and agencies in confronting this crisis, this paper describes the Family to Family Initiative, a system founded on the view that family foster care reform must be directed to producing a service that is less disruptive to its clients, more community-based and culturally-sensitive, more individualized to the needs of children and families, more available as an alternative to institutional placement, and more family-centered. Grants have been awarded to Alabama, New Mexico, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Los Angeles County, and five Georgia counties. The paper describes the current status of the initiative, presents tools developed or used in Family to Family, and contains program description and evaluation information from the Family Match Program in Michigan and the Shared Family Care Program in California. The Shared Family Care Program involves the temporary placement of an entire family in the home of a host family who is trained to mentor and support the biological parents as they develop skills and supports necessary to care for their children and move toward independent living. The Family Match Program also involves mentoring to enhance family functioning, and to preserve and reunite families. (KB)

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states and six counties in two additional states. Drawing on the experiences of Family to Family participants, a framework for child welfare leaders working to reduce the number of children in foster care over 18 months has been developed. This paper opens with a description of recent changes in foster care and a review of the challenges the child welfare system has faced. It then describes how the Family to Family initiative has attempted to reform the system and reduce lengths of stay. The characteristics of children in care and the problems their families face are discussed, as are the barriers that have contributed to children's lengthy stays. The results of Family to Family approaches are reported in the areas of public policy, program management and structure, and program operations. In addition to protecting and supporting children within their family and cultural networks, services for children and families of color need to be improved in other ways. This will require changes throughout the entire child welfare system. Four appendixes contain results from 1996 focus groups, a list of Family to Family programs, a risk assessment matrix, and a checklist for establishing family group conferences. (Contains 71 references.) (SLD)

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. This paper describes some of the ways natural helpers can assist professionals achieve the necessary changes to foster care systems. Natural helpers located in a neighborhood are likely to understand the problems and cultural issues better than people who do not live in the neighborhood. They can be more committed to solving problems because the challenges affect them personally. Relationships with the natural helpers within a community can help professionals build connections and work with families. There are many difficulties in establishing relationships with natural helpers, but the benefits outweigh the problems. Two appendixes list activities of natural helpers and tools professionals can use in teaching natural helpers. (SLD)

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. This paper describes an approach for nontraditional partnerships that work to rebuild the foster care system through interventions designed to create basic connections in neighborhoods. Working with the natural helpers who already exist within communities promotes selfsufficiency and draws on the unique strengths, values, and needs of the people involved. The role of the natural helper is particularly important where issues of child safety are concerned. The paper offers some specific suggestions for the work of natural helpers in partnership with professionals in the community. Four appendixes contain a chart conceptualizing neighborhood self-actualization, a functional resource assessment for families, checklists of activities to be provided by natural helpers and professionals, and a family progress summary sheet. (Contains 17 references.) (SLD)

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. The first objective of this initiative is to develop a network of family foster care that is more neighborhood-based, culturally sensitive, and located primarily in the communities where the children live. It calls for child welfare agencies to develop partnerships with the communities from which the children came. This report describes the ways in which communities have worked to build community partnerships and draws some lessons from their efforts as a guide to others. Three major strategies have been used to develop better working relationships with the community: (1) empowering the community to share child welfare work; (2) joint training for child welfare and community representatives; and (3) developing and maintaining a visible presence in the community, including working on the community's agenda. The most important element needed to develop working partnerships with the community is the commitment of child welfare agency leadership. Once discussions begin, leaders need strength and community support to change the ways their agencies do business. Thirteen appendixes are available on computer diskette from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Contains 1 17-item annotated bibliography.) (SLD)