A model program for African American children in the foster care system

The children who come into shelter care are usually children who have been abused and neglected. Many have experienced numerous placements. Typically, these children have had to perform adult roles, such as caring for their own siblings or parents. They have not had the opportunity to negotiate the developmental phases of childhood in a healthy manner. Few appropriate socialization behaviors have been modeled. Many of these children demonstrate a sense of mistrust, hopelessness and serious academic problems. These are factors that have the potential to lead to life disabilities. Based on their work in the foster care system, the authors maintain that interventions at any level in the continuum of care can contribute to the healthy development of children. Effective interventions at the shelter care level may significantly reduce the foster child's potential for lifelong disabilities. This article will focus on African American males in shelter care between the ages of 7 and 14. At this juncture in their lives, these children are especially open to therapeutic interventions. The authors believe the presented model has application to all racial and ethnic groups, and aspects of the model are applicable to other settings in the foster care system.