Reverse visitation between former foster parents and adopted children

Abstract

ABSTRACT A crucial aspect of designing transitions from foster care to adoptive homes is whether to facilitate contact between the child and their former caregivers after the transition, a practice known as reverse visitation. There is almost no research available on the use of this practice and its correlates, despite it being widely recommended based on attachment theory. In this exploratory study, surveys were completed by adoptive parents, foster parents, or caseworkers on 205 children moving from a foster home to a separate adoptive home in a convenience sample in the State of Oregon. Children were in some form of contact with their former foster parents in 70% of the adoptions. They had in-person visits with their prior caregivers 49% of the time. Associations between these forms of posttransition contact and other variables highlighted characteristics of the foster and adoptive parents as influential. Implications for child welfare practice and research are discussed.