Beyond Permanency: Subsequent Maltreatment Referrals and Removals Among Children Exiting Foster Care to Guardianship

Guardianship is an increasingly popular alternative to adoption for children in foster care, but evidence of its long-term safety and continuity remains limited. Using California child protection system (CPS) records, the study followed all children born 1999-2005 who exited foster care to guardianship before age 18 (N = 16,408). Rates and predictors of post-guardianship CPS referrals and reentries were estimated and allegations were categorized as involving biological parents or guardians. Overall, 59% of children who exited to guardianship had a subsequent CPS referral and 19% reentered care. Thirty-four percent of postguardianship referrals involved alleged maltreatment by the biological parent from whom they were originally removed, and 68% involved alleged maltreatment by the guardian or another relative. Older children (ages 15-17) had the greatest risk of foster care reentry, while children in kin guardianship had significantly lower risk. Findings underscore the need for caregiver screening and enhanced postguardianship supports.