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Despite the prevalence of trauma among children in foster care, child welfare agencies rarely screen for a history of trauma exposure and associated symptoms. This study aimed to examine (1) the adherence to the universal implementation of trauma and mental health screening in urban Treatment Foster Care programs and (2) the changes in children's mental health and trauma symptom screening scores in agencies participating in a broad range of trauma-informed activities. Overall, the screening rates in this study were low, reflecting challenges that should be considered by foster programs looking to implement trauma screening protocols. However, changes in mental health and trauma symptom scores were observed among children in participating agencies, suggesting the potential impact of trauma-informed care., In 2018, more than 400,000 children spent time in foster care in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019). Children in foster care are disproportionally affected [...]

The influence of parental socio-economic background on the risk of entry into out-of-home care among Swedish children and youth is presented. Results showed that low maternal education and receipt of social assistance were strongly associated with more odds for care entries.

Using a telephone survey, this study examined the experiences of 100 foster mothers who receive aid through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Foster mothers reported numerous difficulties with TANF, including frequent sanctions and case closings, limited work and training opportunities, and pervasive material hardships. Foster children exhibited high levels of emotional and behavior problems. The data suggest that lack of access to child care and pressure to become self-sufficient may contribute to a decreased pool of foster mothers., Since passage of the federal welfare law, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), there have been enormous changes to the U.S. welfare system. [...]

Selective review of outcome research on family foster care services in various Western countries highlights the complexities of service delivery in this practice arena. It also suggests directions for further study to improve the life chances for young people coming to the attention of the child welfare system. Such research could contribute to the process of enhancing policies in each country.

A longitudinal study was conducted to examine child and case characteristics associated with changes in placement among several Rhode Island children in foster care. Results suggest that half of all children experience at least one placement change while in care, emergency shelter settings have the highest risk of placement change, followed by nonrelative settings, group home settings and relative foster care.

The practices of kinship amongst lesbian and gay foster-carers and adopters are examined to understand the extent to which they have challenged dominant genealogical discourses. The purpose of the study is to see how best these practices can be drawn upon to expand the genealogical visions of state foster-care and adoption work.

Traditionally the role of the family therapist working in foster care has been limited to the areas of evaluation and treatment. This paper proposes that the family therapist can extend conventional boundaries to include the practice of systemic consultation. Case studies are included to exemplify family therapist microlevel consultation with various interacting systems that affect foster care provision.

This article describes a special program for latency-age children entering residential treatment who are available for adoption. The program offers a continuum of care, incorporating the strengths of group living, therapy, and adoption preparation and placement.

Child-family visiting in out-of-home care is at the heart of determining whether the family will be reunified or other premanency plans will be made. A purchase-of-service arrangement enables a voluntary agency to carry a portion of the visiting process for a public agency in a coordinated operation. A separately funded unit of the voluntary agency offers a visiting service for children of divorce whose parents are at serious odds with each other.

This article highlights current changes in our understanding of HIV infection in children; examines two central concepts--family-centered care and prevention--for the development of child welfare services; and explores certain implications for foster care for HIV-infected children while reviewing the training needed by foster care personnel and foster parents if they are to provide competent services.

Issues associated with providing intensive home-based family preservation services through public and private child welfare agency auspices are discussed. Program implementation, funding, service effectiveness, program efficiency, organizational politics, and other factors are examined to assess the strengths and limitations of each auspice.

Filial therapy, a method of combined play therapy/family therapy for looked after and late adopted children and their carers is shown as promising for meeting the emotional and social needs of such children and their carers.

The proportion of older children in foster care in the United States is increasing, leading policy makers to devise strategies to ensure that these children find permanent adoptive homes. The impact of these policies on the permanency opportunities for older children in foster care is examined, and several suggestions are made for additional policy and practice changes that would ensure that these children do not age out of foster care into a life of poverty.