Children in foster care and spirituality and religion: Practice guidelines and policy recommendations to optimize service provision

Abstract

Spirituality and religion often play instrumental roles in the lives of children in foster care. Despite the importance of these assets, a paucity of scholarship has addressed the intersection between foster care and these two constructs. To guide child welfare practice in this complex intersection, this paper delineates practice guidelines and policy recommendations to optimize service provision. Key perspectives are discussed that should be considered in the placement and supervision of children, namely: the role of child welfare practitioners as state actors, children in foster care, the legal parents, and the foster parents. Suggestions are offered to balance the interests of all actors in a manner that prioritizes the best interests of the child while accommodating the interests of other stakeholders. The paper concludes by offering several policy recommendations that might be implemented at the agency, state and federal levels to help support the spiritual and religious beliefs and practices of youth in foster care.