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Foster care's youngest: a preliminary report
L Klee1, D Kronstadt, C Zlotnick
1Children's Council of San Franscisco, Calif, USA.
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Welfare reform impacts children in foster care. Many young foster children show developmental delays in mental, psychomotor, and emotional regulation, highlighting the need for better support programs.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Social Policy
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Foster care systems are influenced by welfare reform policies.
- Children in foster care often face significant developmental challenges.
- Understanding these challenges is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of welfare reform on children's mental health within the foster care system.
- To assess the developmental status of young children in foster care.
- To inform social policy and program planning.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 125 young foster children was assessed.
- Children were randomly assigned to a special intervention program.
- Standardized assessments were used to evaluate mental, psychomotor, and emotional development.
Main Results:
- 50% of the children scored below normal in mental and psychomotor development.
- 66% of the children scored below normal in emotional regulation and motor quality.
- These findings indicate widespread developmental concerns.
Conclusions:
- Foster children exhibit significant developmental deficits.
- Current social policies and programs may not adequately address these needs.
- Further research is essential to improve outcomes for children in foster care.