Foster Homes Research Articles

Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat-Human Interaction.

Simple SummaryMillions of cats end up in U.S. animal shelters every year. Cats living in shelters may face several stressors due to social isolation, lack of enrichment, and disturbances in their environment. Although fostering programs for dogs have been well-established in many areas, these programs are extremely rare for cats. The aim of this research was to empirically evaluate outcomes associated with placing shelter cats in a short-term foster environment, when compared with cats that remained in the shelter. Results indicate that cats placed in foster care were not at a disadvantage. Foster cats did not display decreased social behavior, increased fear or aggression, or increased cortisol levels while in the foster home. Therefore, even short-term cat fostering does not appear to be more stressful for cats than staying in the shelter. This work provides empirical evidence that cats can be placed into foster homes, even for short periods of time, when shelter space is limited.Recent research has demonstrated that cats (Felis catus) have greater social potential and flexibility than was previously assumed. However, many traditional cat care practices have been influenced by the misconception that cats are socially aloof. This can result in less support or guidance for cat-focused programs that may promote improved success or welfare. For example, while dog fostering programs—even overnight programs—are considered highly beneficial, with research to back these claims, relatively little research has been dedicated to understanding the potential risks and benefits of cat fostering programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to empirically evaluate the social, behavioral, and stress response outcomes associated with placing shelter cats in an overnight or short-term foster environment. While neither overnight nor 1-week fostering lead to a statistically significant improvement in human-directed social behavior or stress levels, foster cats also did not display increased fear or aggression in the foster home and did not have higher cortisol levels. Therefore, cat fostering—even short-term fostering—does not appear to be more stressful or problematic for this species than remaining in a shelter. This information could contribute to life-saving efforts by providing empirical evidence that cats can be safely moved into foster homes, even for short durations, when shelter space is limited. More research is needed to evaluate the potential effects of longer-term fostering in cats, as well as cat fostering practices that could lead to greater welfare benefits.

Performing the good (im)migrant: inclusion and expectations of linguistic assimilation

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes how language is framed as a route to full inclusion, particularly for unaccompanied asylum-seeking students labelled as disabled. It is based on a qualitative study carried out in the Italian city of Rome, which, although cosmopolitan, is often characterised by nationalistic political landscapes. The manuscript reveals how institutional biases (re: race, ability, and migration) about unaccompanied forced migrant youth, often manifested in their construction as disabled and foreign by local professionals, hinder the likelihood that they successfully participate in the life of the host society. The paper also shows how the inclusion of migrant and refugee students living in foster care homes is conceptualised as a violent integration into monolingual and monocultural education settings. Drawing on Disability Critical Race Studies and Raciolinguistics, this contribution analyzes how unaccompanied forced migrant students respond to their linguistic urgency, learn power majority languages, and simultaneously devalue their home language to perform the ‘good (im)migrant.’ Lastly, the contribution shows how processes of racialization of disabled unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee students influence how western communities perceive their linguistic capacity and effort.

Socio-environmental Factors as Determinants of Social Well-being of Adolescents in Foster Homes in Southwestern Nigeria

Aims: This study sets to discover the socio-environmental factors as determinants of social well-being of adolescents in foster homes in Southwestern Nigeria.
 Study Design: This study was a descriptive survey.
 Study Area: The study was carried out in the six States in Southwestern Nigeria.
 Methodology: Study participants were selected among adolescents in foster homes using stratified, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques, the data collection was done using Questionnaire (which contained three separate standardized instruments: Socio-Environmental Factors Scale (SEFS), Social Well-Being Scale (SWBS) and Adolescent Fostering Questionnaire (AFQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
 Result: The results showed that peer influence, academic performance and attitude of the foster family were significant to social wellbeing of the adolescents. This result shows that although all the components of social factors correlated with the social well-being of the fostered adolescents, there is an insignificant relationship between social well-being and environmental factors of the fostered adolescents. Some (24.5%) of the adolescents saw their neighbors as very supportive and friendly and are welcoming to them. 13.7% were unable to decide on their neighbor’s character towards them 7.7% noticed their neighbors pitying them always, although most of them cannot say their minds out.
 Conclusion: Fostered adolescents undergo more challenges within the child welfare system that may further compromise their social well-being. Adolescents in foster care, are exposed to risk factors such as poverty and maltreatment, which negatively affect their social skills. Providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for the adolescents may wane the deleterious effects of their experiences by exposing them to protective factors that can encourage resilience.

Caring for Homebound Veterans during COVID-19 in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Foster Home Program.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made older, homebound adults with multiple chronic conditions increasingly vulnerable to contracting the virus. The United States (US) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Foster Home (MFH) program cares for such medically complex veterans residing in the private homes of non-VA caregivers rather than institutional care settings like nursing homes. In this qualitative descriptive study, we assessed adaptations to delivering safe and effective health care during the early stages of the pandemic for veterans living in rural MFHs. From December 2020 to February 2021, we interviewed 37 VA MFH care providers by phone at 16 rural MFH programs across the US, including caregivers, program coordinators, and VA health care providers. Using both inductive and deductive approaches to thematic analysis, we identified themes reflecting adaptations to caring for rural MFH veterans, including care providers rapidly increased communication and education to MFH caregivers while prioritizing veteran safety. Telehealth visits also increased, MFH veterans were prioritized for in-home COVID-19 vaccinations, and strategies were applied to mitigate the social isolation of veterans and caregivers. The study findings illustrate the importance of clear, regular communication and intentional care coordination to ensure high-quality care for vulnerable, homebound populations during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goodnight, Dad

The following piece captures the experiences of an Indigenous youth in care who has been historically parentified. He writes of his parental allegiances, his love and devotion to his dad, and his relationship to a foster home. At the heart of the piece, is an exploration of the inherent powerlessness that children endure when their lives are predetermined for them and how, despite this, they continue to hope, to love, and to idealize. The piece is positioned from the imaginative yet honest eye of the child, and models much of the fantastical thinking held by so many of our Indigenous youth who sleep away from home.

0078 Assessing Sleep Health in Children Recently Adopted from Foster Care

Abstract Introduction An estimated 450,000 children were in the U.S. foster care system in 2019. Early adversity including maltreatment and/or neglect renders this vulnerable population at high risk for negative outcomes, both physical and psychological. Burgeoning evidence suggests that children in foster care develop high rates of sleep disruption. Sleep disruption is associated with negative life outcomes including heart disease, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders. However, there is still a lack of knowledge examining sleep health in children adopted from foster care. Methods Sleep quality and problems were examined among a sample of children adopted from foster care (n = 234) within the past two years, ages 4 to 11 years (M = 5.94, SD = 1.97). Caregivers across the US were invited to complete an anonymous Qualtrics survey via private Facebook groups for foster families. The Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was completed by foster parents to assess child sleep problems (e.g., nightmares, bedwetting, snoring, etc.) and overall sleep quality. Caregivers endorsed sleep problems and frequency using responses “Never,” “Sometimes,” and “Usually; sleep quality was rated using a Likert scale from 1 = Very Poor to 10 = Excellent. Results Paired-samples t-test compared first month (i.e., when first arrived in the home) and current child sleep quality based on caregiver-report. Sleep quality showed significant improvement since arrival in the foster home; t(233) = 12.98, p < .001, d = 0.85. However, on the CSHQ, 99% of the sample scored above the clinical cutoff for this measure indicating elevated sleep problems. Conclusion Children adopted from foster care show some improvement in sleep quality after achieving permanency. However, these data suggest this population continues to experience clinical levels of sleep problems even after being adopted. Our results suggest a need for specialized intervention services targeting sleep health among children recently adopted from foster care. Support (If Any) None

An exploration of young people’s experiences relating to stability and permanence throughout their care journey

Instability in the lives of young people in care is a public health concern. Placement moves and loss of relationships can have serious implications for young people’s overall functioning, as well as their future life outcomes. Despite this, research often lacks the perspective and voice of young people in care. In this qualitative research, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to provide a deeper insight into young people’s perceptions and beliefs about their care experiences to explore the impact of these on their ability to achieve a sense of stability and permanency across time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six males from UK foster, residential and semi-independent care homes. The main themes highlighted young people’s perceptions of their care environment, relationships with others, sense of self and future under the overarching issue of permanence. Policy and practice implications propose strategies to target instability at the micro-level and how that may facilitate positive outcomes. The study revealed insights that may be helpful for frontline professionals and highlight to policy makers the importance of ensuring environmental and relational stability. An awareness of attachment theory to implement effective caregiving, should be a priority for training parents, caregivers, professionals and policy makers.

Psychosocial well-being of Flemish foster children residing in their foster homes during the COVID-19 lockdown

The measures implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected the lives of children and families all around the world, probably affecting children’s psychosocial well-being. The negative consequences of lockdowns are presumed to hit even harder on vulnerable groups such as foster children who already struggle with their psychosocial well-being in normal circumstances and who face specific challenges during lockdowns such as: additional help that is no longer available or only offered digitally and physical contact with birth parents that is forbidden. Nevertheless, some scholars point to the positive side of lockdowns (e.g.: relief due to closure of schools). This study aims to asses the psychosocial well-being of Flemish foster children residing in their foster homes during the COVID-19 lockdown and the factors that are associated with the change in their psychosocial well-being. 888 foster parents reported on the psychosocial well-being of just as many foster children through the Brief Assessment Checklist for Children and Adolescents. The COVID-19 lockdown was not associated with a decreased psychosocial well-being of Flemish foster children residing in their foster homes during the lockdown. Foster parents reported a slight improvement in their relationship with their foster child during the lockdown which points to a positive consequence of the lockdown. In addition, this improvement was positively associated with an increased psychosocial well-being during adverse circumstances and should therefore be enhanced. The type and amount of contact with birth parents is significantly associated with foster children’s changed psychosocial well-being during the lockdown. Foster parents who reported an increase in alternative contact (e.g., (video)calls and messages) between their foster child and his/her birth parent(s) during the lockdown, also reported an increase in their foster child’s psychosocial well-being during that period.

Economics of Foster Care

Foster care provides substitute living arrangements to protect maltreated children. The practice is remarkably common: it is estimated that 5 percent of children in the United States are placed in foster care at some point during childhood. This paper describes the main tradeoffs in child welfare policy and provides background on policy and practice most in need of rigorous evidence. Trends include efforts to prevent foster care on the demand side and to improve foster home recruitment on the supply side. With increasing data availability and a growing interest in evidence-based practices, there are opportunities for economic research to inform policies that protect vulnerable children.

Emergency Fostering of Dogs From Animal Shelters During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Shelter Practices, Foster Caregiver Engagement, and Dog Outcomes.

Each year, millions of dogs enter thousands of animal shelters across the United States. Life in the shelter can be stressful, and one type of intervention that improves dogs' experience is human interaction, particularly stays in foster homes. Prior research has demonstrated that fostering can reduce dogs' cortisol and increase their resting activity. Despite these benefits, little is understood about the utilization of foster caregiving in animal shelters, and even less so during a crisis. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization deemed the coronavirus outbreak a worldwide pandemic, and subsequently a nationwide emergency was declared in the United States. Nearly all states issued stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of the virus. During this time, media outlets reported increased interest in the adoption and fostering of shelter pets. This study explores canine foster caregiving at 19 US animal shelters during the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In our investigation, we found that shelters' utilization of foster caregiving increased from March to April 2020 but returned to initial pandemic levels by June 2020. Slightly less than two-fifths of foster caregivers were community members with no prior relationship with the shelter, and these caregivers were over four times more likely to adopt their fostered dogs than those with a pre-existing relationship to the shelter. Individuals fostering with the intention to adopt, in fact, adopted their dogs in nearly three-quarters of those instances. With regards to shelters' available resources, we found that very low-resource shelters relied more heavily on individuals with prior relationships to provide foster caregiving while very high-resource shelters more often recruited new community members. We also found that our lowest resourced shelters transferred more dogs out of their facilities while more resourced shelters rehomed dogs directly to adopters. To our knowledge, these findings represent the first in-depth reporting about dog fostering in US animal shelters and, more specifically, foster caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, they provide greater understanding of how monetary and human resources were utilized to affect the care and ultimately, the outcomes of shelter dogs during this time.

Predictors of Parent-Child Contact During a Parent’s Incarceration

ABSTRACT Over 2 million people are currently incarcerated – the majority of whom are parents to minor children. The reentry process is often difficult for parents as they navigate reentry challenges such as finding housing and employment while also trying to develop and reestablish relationships with their children. Increased parent-child contact during incarceration is associated with improved incarceration and reentry outcomes for both the parents and their children. Using survey data from 252 parents exiting the prison system, this study uses structural equation modeling to examine predictors of parent-child contact during incarceration. Findings suggest incarcerated parents have higher levels of contact with their children when the parents had less exposure to childhood adversities such as parental incarceration, foster care, and group home placement. Mothers display higher levels of contact with children than fathers; similarly, younger parents display higher levels of contact than older, as do those who had recent contact in the month prior to incarceration compared to those who did not. These findings highlight specific factors and populations for practitioners to target to increase the level of parent-child contact during incarceration.

Caregivers' Perspectives of the Florida Guardianship Assistance Program and Its Impact on the Children in Their Care.

This mixed methods study examined kinship caregivers’ perspectives of the Florida Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) to understand how the program initially supported the needs of the child, caregiver, and family as they navigate permanent guardianship. Specifically, this study examined caregivers’ knowledge of the GAP; decision to apply for the GAP; perceptions of the GAP from families who had successfully closed cases to permanent guardianship; perceptions of the GAP from families who held active cases and had not yet closed to permanent guardianship; and perceptions of how children were adjusting in their home, comparing licensed and non-licensed foster care homes. Findings indicate that 47% of respondents first heard about the GAP when the child was initially placed with them, while 16% had never heard of the GAP until receiving the survey letter for this evaluation. The majority (56%) of those who had heard about the GAP were first told about it by the child’s caseworker. Among respondents who both knew about the GAP and who indicated whether or not they pursued GAP, 87% decided to apply for the GAP, and 90% of those who applied for licensing were eligible. Of those caregivers whose children’s cases had closed to permanent guardianship, the majority (63%) indicated that the licensing process was very easy or somewhat easy. Overall, the majority of caregivers indicated that the children were doing better since being initially placed in their care, but caregivers who were not licensed reported a slightly higher percentage of children who were doing worse.

Supporting collaborative relationships between parents and non‐relative foster parents

AbstractDespite policy recommendations that foster parents form positive relationships with the parents of children in their care, this is difficult to achieve in actual practice. This study examined relationships between foster parents and parents in a sample of 13 triads of parents, foster parents and caseworkers of children ages 5–13 living in non‐relative foster homes with a goal of reunification (N = 38). Findings highlighted the evolution of relationships over time and the important role of caseworkers in supporting communication between parents and foster parents. Findings also suggest that parents often felt judged and lacked control regarding decision‐making and contact. Casework practice was typically not proactive in creating or supporting better relationships and gave foster parents the choice to communicate with parents only if they wanted to. The first meeting between parents and foster parents was critical for establishing the basis for a relationship, but often lacked structure and clear expectations. When foster parents took the initiative to form collaborative relationships, relationships were often positive, and parents were mutually supportive to one another.

Material Memories: Narrating and Reconstructing Experiences about Displaced Childhood during World War II

During World War II, about 70,000 Finnish children were evacuated to Sweden and other Nordic countries to stay in foster homes to ease the situation of Finnish families. In this article, I analyze narratives of a former Finnish child evacuee who was evacuated to Sweden and who lived in Swedish foster homes during two different periods. I scrutinize her experiences, stories, and personal documents about evacuation and everyday life in foster homes from the perspective of affective and material memories. I approach the retrospective reminiscence of displacement as a mixture of a child’s perspective and an adult’s reflection. During the interview, the narrator read letters she had written to her mother, which bring out everyday life experiences in the midst of conflict that anchor in the material world. The written documents, as well as the sensory and material elements of the oral storytelling, function as keys for rendering complex affective experiences. In this text, I analyze the process of reconstructing narratives of displaced childhood and transnational family history as part of personal memory work.

Vulnerable young adults’ retrospective perceptions of school-based psychosocial support

In this article we describe the retrospective perceptions of vulnerable young adults on the psychosocial support they had been exposed to when they were in school. Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews, collages and a focus group discussion with 5 young adults (2 females and 3 males aged from 20 to 23) who resided at a foster home in Johannesburg. Thematic data analysis identified distinct psychological and social experiences which impacted on their ability to function independently as adults. The psychological experiences highlighted their sense of vulnerability, a lack of identity, emotional pain, and the need for career and guidance counselling. Their social experiences were characterised by social isolation and a lack of social skills. Adopting Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, we discuss what psychosocial support should be provided at schools so that vulnerable children could have a better life.

Emotion Regulation Learning Processes Within two Parenting Systems in the Case of a Foster Preschooler

ABSTRACT Acts of abuse are indicative of a parent's inability to regulate his or her own emotions in an appropriate manner and jeopardize a child's development. Foster care should provide a safe environment both to protect a child from harm and to heal a damaging social-emotional developmental trajectory. How does a child learn to regulate his or her emotions faced with the two different environments of foster home and parental home? This study is based on the use of a microanalytic observation method using a video-recording device in natural settings. It concerns a preschooler, Lola, aged 5, and her birth parents and Foster Mother (FM), who together form her caregivers. To evaluate the evolution of their interactions over a year, three observational sessions were held at an interval of six months. The emotional regulation learning processes used by Lola and her caregivers during playtime were analyzed with Emotion Regulation Strategies (ERS) coding systems in order to build ERS cycles. The analysis of this case showed that Lola learnt to develop language strategies to regulate her emotions with her FM, while exhibiting self-soothing behaviors and distraction strategies with her biological parents. The degree of distress and emotional tension in her birth family had a critical impact on Lola's ERS learning processes. Clinical implications for child care practices are discussed following a clinical psychology perspective.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Care of Vulnerable Children in India

For the child living in institutions or in foster care homes, the continued Covid-19 pandemic had a major effect and posed many challenges. It includes a scarcity of access to health & oral health care, lack of schooling, poor infrastructure maintenance, lack of nutrition and healthy diet, similarly, as well as lack of emotional and social support, all of which leads to increase prevalence of mental illness among them. If these problems are ignored any further and not detected or managed early, can have a greater impact on overall wellbeing and development of the child. For the event of personality and emotional resilience in any person’s life, Childhood is that the significant time for overall development and health. It's the responsibility of each nation to take care of the children the marginalized and underprivileged. During the current challenging Covid-19 Pandemic, we must always take the commitment of reducing its impact on institutionalized children by addressing the factors and taking measures for overall development of this vulnerable group. The current review was an attempt of addressing the factors or concerns that can arise due to Covid-19 pandemic situation and measures recommended for improving the overall health and wellbeing of the child living in institutions in India.

Stability of attachment patterns of children in foster homes

Stability of attachment patterns of children in foster homes

Relationship between Attachment Styles and Delinquent Behaviour among Adolescents in Foster Care Centers in Nairobi Kenya

The purpose of this study was to examine attachment styles and delinquent behaviours of children brought up in foster care centers in Njiru Ward, Kasarani Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following research questions: What are the attachment styles and delinquent behavior patterns among foster children in Njiru Ward? What is the relationship between attachment styles and delinquency among foster children in Njiru Ward, Kasarani Sub-County? This study was informed by the Attachment Theory, Sub-culture and differential opportunity theories. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was used in this study. The target population included 19 foster care centers in Njiru Ward, with a total population of 1,117 and a sample of 336 (318 children, caretakers, and 6 directors) was selected for the study. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the children whereas purposive sampling was used for selecting the caretakers and directors in the foster care centers. The data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative approaches of analysis were used in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysing quantitative data. The study established that there was a statistical significant relationship between attachment styles and delinquent behaviour among children in foster homes in Njiru Ward. The study recommends assessment of attachment styles in children with delinquent problems to aid in understanding and establishing holistic correctional measures.

An Historical Narrative of the Educational Trajectory of the Child Raised in State Care

The purpose of this review article is to examine the educational trajectory of foster care alumni regarding the social capital held by their foster parents. This literature review applies special attention to the age group of k-12 because despite educational reform interventions a college readiness gap remains for the foster child. The college journey starts as early as grade school, a time in which remedial limitations may be diagnosed and addressed. Research indicates that 17% of foster children require remedial instruction at the grade school level but fail to be diagnosed as a result of poor agency coordination. As a society we have, by default, consented to the removal of children from their biological homes. The foster home, therefore, is tasked with providing a nurturing setting that is an improvement over the biological home setting from which the child is removed. The foster parent, then, must engage in behavior change that can be observed in the school setting, take corrective action when poor agency coordination occurs, expedite the individual education plan, encourage the foster child and monetize materials of value for the child for the duration that the child remains in placement. We observe that there is a gap in the literature with regard to intelligence from foster care alumni. Further, educational advocacy, by the foster parent, on behalf of the foster child is a prerequisite if foster youth are to meet benchmarks that indicate long-term survival. Foster youth, by default, lack long-term adult support, a barrier to persistence in education. This review examines the literature on what foster alumni reported they experience regarding social capital held by their foster caregivers as it relates to college access.