Related Experiment Videos
A profile of the child likely to experience unstable foster care
Adolescence
|January 1, 1985
Insights
Minimizing child re-placement in foster care is crucial. This study identifies characteristics of children at high risk for unstable care and proposes strategies to improve placement stability.
Area of Science:
- Child Welfare Research
- Social Work Practice
- Pediatric Psychology
Background:
- Child re-placement is a significant challenge in foster care systems.
- Frequent moves negatively impact child well-being and development.
- Existing research provides a foundation for understanding placement instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a predictive profile of foster children prone to multiple re-placements.
- To identify key factors associated with unstable foster care.
- To propose evidence-based strategies for reducing child movement within the foster care system.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on foster care placement stability.
- Analysis of characteristics associated with re-placement.
- Development of a composite profile based on identified risk factors.
Main Results:
- A distinct profile of foster children at higher risk for multiple re-placements has been identified.
- Key demographic and psychosocial factors contributing to instability were determined.
- The study outlines specific, actionable strategies for intervention.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the profile of at-risk children is essential for proactive intervention.
- Implementing targeted strategies can significantly reduce re-placement rates.
- Improving placement stability is vital for positive outcomes for children in foster care.
Abstract:
A core problem of professionals working in the foster care system is finding ways to minimize re-placement, or the movement of children from foster home to foster home. Drawing on past research, this paper develops a profile of the foster child likely to experience multiple re-placement or unstable care. Based on this profile, possible strategies for reducing movement in care are discussed.