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Impact of developmental problems on young children's exits from foster care
S M Horwitz1, M D Simms, R Farrington
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
Insights
Children in foster care often have developmental delays. Early identification of these delays, along with factors like age and race, can predict how long a child remains in foster care.
Area of Science:
- Child Welfare
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Children entering foster care often present with multiple challenges.
- Limited research exists on baseline characteristics and their impact on foster care duration.
- Understanding factors influencing placement stability is crucial for child well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between physical and developmental problems at foster care entry and the likelihood of remaining in care.
- To identify predictors of prolonged foster care placement.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 272 children (1 month to 7 years) entering foster care.
- Comprehensive physical health assessment and developmental screening upon entry.
- Placement status tracked using Social Services Agency records.
Main Results:
- Developmental delays were common, affecting 53% of children.
- Older age at entry, nonwhite race, and identified developmental problems increased the likelihood of remaining in care by 1.93 times.
Conclusions:
- Early and comprehensive assessments are vital for children entering foster care.
- Identifying developmental issues can help predict placement stability.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions for vulnerable children in the foster care system.
Abstract:
Children entering foster care are often described as having multiple problems, although there are surprisingly few comprehensive baseline descriptions of children as they enter care. Further, few studies have examined the interactions among baseline characteristics, physical and mental health problems, and their joint influence on the likelihood that a child will remain in care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of physical and developmental problems identified shortly after the children entered substitute care to the likelihood of their remaining in care. Data for these analyses came from 272 children (ages 1 month to 7 years) seen at the Foster Care Clinic in Waterbury, Connecticut, between November 1985 and December 1989. All children received a complete physical health assessment and developmental screening upon entry into care. The outcome variable, children's placement status as of September 1990, was confirmed through the Social Services Agency's records. Results indicate that children in foster care commonly showed developmental delays (53%). Further, those who were older at entry into care and nonwhite and who had developmental problems identified were 1.93 times more likely to remain in foster care. Given these findings, early comprehensive assessment for children entering foster care is strongly recommended.