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A case for permanent foster placement of dependent, neglected, and abused children
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Insights
The number of children in foster care is increasing, with many experiencing lengthy stays. Permanent foster placement offers a potential solution for children facing challenges with family reunification or adoption.
Area of Science:
- Child welfare research
- Social policy analysis
- Family law
Background:
- Rising numbers of children entering the foster care system.
- Challenges in family reunification and adoption processes.
- Foster care often becomes a prolonged, indefinite arrangement for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the issue of interminable foster care for children.
- To explore barriers to family reunification and adoption.
- To propose permanent foster placement as an alternative solution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of factors impeding parental reunification.
- Examination of judicial reluctance in terminating parental rights.
- Evaluation of permanent foster placement as an alternative care arrangement.
Main Results:
- Paucity of parental resources frequently hinders return to home.
- Court reluctance to terminate parental rights obstructs adoption.
- Permanent foster placement is identified as a viable alternative.
Conclusions:
- Current foster care system faces significant challenges leading to prolonged stays.
- Parental resource limitations and legal barriers impede permanency.
- Permanent foster placement may better serve the needs of certain children in long-term foster care.
Abstract:
The number of children entering foster care continues to rise. Despite efforts to rehabilitate families and to place children for adoption, for many children foster care tends to be interminable. Return to the home is often impeded by a paucity of parental resources; adoption is often blocked by the courts' reluctance to terminate parental rights. Permanent foster placement is suggested as an alternative arrangement for better meeting the needs of some of these children.