Number Of Prior Placements Research Articles

An Integrative Data Analysis of Main and Moderated Crossover Effects of Parent-Mediated Interventions on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Youth in Foster Care.

Without preventative intervention, youth with a history of foster care (FC) involvement have a high likelihood of developing depression and anxiety (DA) symptoms. The current study used integrative data analysis to harmonize data across four foster and kinship parent-mediated interventions (and seven randomized control trials) designed to reduce youth externalizing and other problem behaviors to determine if, and for how long, these interventions may have crossover effects on youth DA symptoms. Moderation of intervention effects by youth biological sex, developmental period, number of prior placements, and race/ethnicity was also examined. Youth (N = 1891; 59% female; ages 4 to 18years) behaviors were assessed via the Child Behavior Checklist, Parent Daily Report, and Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory at baseline, the end of the interventions (4-6months post baseline), and two follow-up assessments (9-12months and 18-24months post baseline), yielding 4830 total youth-by-time assessments. The interventions were effective at reducing DA symptoms at the end of the interventions; however, effects were only sustained for one program at the follow-up assessments. No moderation effects were found. The current study indicates that parent-mediated interventions implemented during childhood or adolescence aimed at reducing externalizing and other problem behaviors had crossover effects on youth DA symptoms at the end of the interventions. Such intervention effects were sustained 12 and 24months later only for the most at-risk youth involved in the most intensive intervention.

Placement Stability for Children Adjudicated as Dependent: A Survival Analysis of a State Database

Using survival analysis, this article examines placement stability across a period of approximately 4 years for a sample of 3,089 Oklahoma children adjudicated as dependent in year 2000. Most children experienced few placements, but a minority experienced a large number. Kinship care was more stable than foster family care, particularly for African American children. Older children were at increased risk of subsequent placement. A higher number of prior placements predicted increased risk for subsequent placement. For children who are not residing in a placement setting, risk of subsequent placement decreased as time since adjudication increased. Results recommend continued emphasis on kinship care in child welfare practice, particularly for African American children.

Predictors of running away from out-of-home care

This study examines the frequency and predictors of youth running away from foster care in Illinois. Using data from the state's child welfare management information system and Medicaid paid claims data, study analyses focus on 14,282 children and youth who ran away from care at least once between 1993 and 2003. The likelihood that youths in care would run nearly doubled over the study period, driven largely by an increase over time in the likelihood that youths who had run once would run again. Child age, gender, race/ethnicity, disability, and diagnosed mental health and substance use disorders all predicted running from care. System-level factors including placement type, number of prior placements, prior runaway history, and administrative region were also found to predict running away. Implications of the study findings for child welfare policy and practice are discussed.

Effects of a Foster Parent Training Intervention on Placement Changes of Children in Foster Care

Placement disruptions undermine efforts of child welfare agencies to promote safety, permanency, and child well-being. Child behavior problems significantly contribute to placement changes. The aims of this investigation were to examine the impact of a foster parent training and support intervention (KEEP) on placement changes and to determine whether the intervention mitigates placement disruption risks associated with children's placement histories. The sample included 700 families with children between ages 5 and 12 years, from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Families were randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. The number of prior placements was predictive of negative exits from current foster placements. The intervention increased chances of a positive exit (e.g., parent/child reunification) and mitigated the risk-enhancing effect of a history of multiple placements. Incorporating intervention approaches based on a parent management training model into child welfare services may improve placement outcomes for children in foster care.

The Early Intervention Foster Care Program: Permanent Placement Outcomes From a Randomized Trial

Preschool-aged foster children face multiple risks for poor long-term outcomes. These risks appear to increase with the number of placement changes experienced. The Early Intervention Foster Care Program (EIFC) targets the spectrum of challenges that preschool-aged foster children face via a team approach delivered in home and community settings. In this article, we report on permanent placement outcomes from the EIFC randomized clinical trial. Children in EIFC had significantly fewer failed permanent placements than children in the regular foster care comparison condition. The number of prior placements was positively associated with the risk of failed permanent placements for children in the comparison condition but not for children in EIFC. Type of prior maltreatment did not predict permanent placement outcomes. These results provide the foundation of an evidence base for the EIFC program as a preventive intervention to improve permanent placement outcomes for preschool-aged foster children.