Foster Care: System in Crisis

Foster care serves as a temporary solution for children whose home environments have become unsafe due to factors such as abuse and neglect.

Introduction

The primary aim within the foster care system is the preservation of families and ensuring the safety of the child. To achieve family preservation, child welfare agencies offer services like parenting education, which helps parents develop problem-solving skills and provides assistance in accessing welfare benefits to financially support their children. This essay delves into the intricate dynamics of foster care, exploring its effects on children's well-being and the challenges they face throughout the process.

Challenges and Long-Term Effects

Despite the focus on family preservation, there are cases where it is unsuccessful, leading to children returning to foster care. These children are placed with either suitable families or group homes until their original home is deemed safe. If safety cannot be assured, the child remains in foster care for an extended period. Children may stay in long-term care until they "age out" at the age of majority, typically 18, or until they are adopted. For children who are not adopted, they continue to remain in the system, which can have significant long-term effects on their mental health and increase risky behaviors such as crime and substance abuse.

The Impact of Extended Foster Care

The length of time spent in foster care can have profound implications. Children who experience frequent moves between foster homes or are placed in long-term care may struggle with a sense of belonging. Their home environment lacked stability, and the foster care system could not provide a permanent solution. Furthermore, some foster placements may not be safe, exposing children to physical or psychological abuse and neglect. Such experiences erode trust and exacerbate feelings of displacement. Child welfare services are tasked with providing a stable environment, education, and safety, yet the prolonged duration in care can increase at-risk behaviors. Children who age out of the system are at risk of homelessness, involvement in crime, and substance abuse. Research by the Children's Bureau highlights the impacts of long-term foster care on children's outcomes.

Research Insights on Foster Care Outcomes

Joseph J. Doyle Jr.'s study, "Child Protection and Child Outcomes: Measuring the Effects of Foster Care," investigates the effects of foster care placements on children, including juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, and employment rates. The study compares children who remain at home with those in foster care, aiming to discern whether foster care is more harmful or beneficial. Doyle (2007) notes that children in foster care are more likely to commit crimes, drop out of school, join welfare, experience substance abuse, or become homeless. Although these risks are elevated for foster children, the research remains inconclusive on the extent to which these outcomes are due to pre-existing home environments or the trauma of foster care itself.

Mark E. Courtney and Richard P. Barth's study, "Pathways of Older Adolescents out of Foster Care," examines the reasons youths exit foster care, such as reaching the age of majority, reunification, alternative placements, or adoption. Conducted in California, the study included 2,653 youths aged 17 and older who spent at least 18 months in care. Surprisingly, the study found that 59.8% exited through emancipation, 23.4% had an unsuccessful exit, and only 16.8% were reunified or adopted. The length of time these youths spent in care was notable, with some remaining for nearly five years and others for over a decade.

Support and Transition Services

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Brief 3 compares outcomes among youths aged 17 and 19, focusing on those who participated in Independent Living Services. These services aid transition into adulthood, offering support in education, employment, and life skills. The NYTD (2014) states that a higher proportion of youths who left foster care by age 19 reported incarceration within the past two years compared to those still in care (26% versus 13%). Continuous support from child welfare services, including access to Independent Living Services, is crucial for reducing risky behaviors after exiting foster care.

According to adoptuskids.org, approximately 20,000 youths age out of the foster care system annually, facing increased risks of poor educational outcomes, homelessness, and unemployment. However, there are benefits for older children in foster care. Those adopted at age 13 or older may receive financial aid from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) for college tuition as independent students.

Policy and Future Directions

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 aims to address long-term foster care challenges, mandating permanency hearings within 12 months of placement. The act facilitates the termination of parental rights (TPR) after 15 months out of the first 22 months unless the child is with a relative. If reunification is unfeasible, TPR opens avenues for adoption. Despite its effectiveness in reducing time in care, the concurrent planning process, which involves simultaneous reunification and TPR actions, can be contentious. Parents may be unaware of TPR proceedings, resulting in disputes. The policy should ensure transparency and include provisions for youths aging out of care, offering continued support to mitigate the risk of engaging in crime or substance abuse.

Conclusion

Research indicates that foster care can increase rates of crime, homelessness, and substance abuse. The longer a child remains in care, the higher the likelihood of long-term placement. Although some studies suggest increased at-risk behaviors in long-term foster children, it remains uncertain whether these outcomes are due to foster care or prior abuse and neglect. The trauma of entering the child welfare system can also impact children's mental health. Thus, it is challenging to attribute negative impacts solely to foster care duration. A comprehensive approach that considers pre-placement factors, ongoing support, and policy adjustments is essential for improving outcomes for children in foster care.

Did you like this example?

640

34