A new model of foster care for young children: the Bucharest early intervention project

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Work Interventions

Background:

• Institutionalized children face significant developmental challenges.
• Early intervention is crucial for mitigating the effects of institutionalization.
• Attachment-based foster care offers a potential solution for post-institutionalized children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an attachment-based foster care intervention for institutionalized children in Bucharest.
• To assess the impact of foster care on various developmental domains.
• To determine if the timing of placement influences developmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial (RCT) of foster care versus institutional care.
• Implementation of an attachment-based, child-centered foster care model.
• Provision of training and ongoing support to foster parents by social workers and clinicians.

Main Results:

• Children in the foster care program showed significantly better developmental outcomes than those remaining in institutions.
• Early placement in foster care was associated with improved outcomes in some developmental areas.
• The timing of placement did not consistently impact all developmental domains.

Conclusions:

• Attachment-based foster care is an effective intervention for improving the development of post-institutionalized children.
• Early placement in foster care can be particularly beneficial, but its impact varies.
• This study highlights the importance of supportive interventions for children transitioning from institutional settings to family environments.