Providing for the best interests of the child?: The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) was passed to increase rates of adoptions and other permanent placements for children in foster care. Through acceleration of timelines for terminating the rights of biological parents and for developing permanency plans, ASFA has the potential to re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied developmental psychology 2004-09, Vol.25 (5), p.523-539
Main Authors: Kernan, Emily, Lansford, Jennifer E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adoption
ASFA
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child development
Child well-being
Developmental psychology
Family reunification
Foster care
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
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Summary:The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) was passed to increase rates of adoptions and other permanent placements for children in foster care. Through acceleration of timelines for terminating the rights of biological parents and for developing permanency plans, ASFA has the potential to reduce the length of time children spend in foster care as well as the number of disruptions in placements they experience there, yet still promotes reunification when this can be accomplished expeditiously and safely. Developmental research suggests that foster care often results in better outcomes for children than does reunification with their biological families but that adoption often leads to better outcomes than does foster care. These findings indicate that the overall goals outlined in ASFA are appropriate and likely serve the best interests of many children; however, a number of problems with the child welfare system remain.
ISSN:0193-3973
1873-7900
DOI:10.1016/j.appdev.2004.08.003