Permanency and the Foster Care System

Each year over 20,000 youth age out of the child welfare system without reaching a permanent placement in a family. Certain children, such as those spending extended time in foster care, with a diagnosed disability, or adolescents, are at the highest risk for aging out. As young adults, this populat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care 2015-10, Vol.45 (10), p.306-315
Main Authors: Lockwood, Katie K., MD, Friedman, Susan, MD, Christian, Cindy W., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adoption - psychology
Age Factors
Child
Child Behavior Disorders - rehabilitation
Child Welfare - legislation & jurisprudence
Female
Foster Home Care - organization & administration
Government Agencies - organization & administration
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Pediatrics
Socioeconomic Factors
Time Factors
United States
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Summary:Each year over 20,000 youth age out of the child welfare system without reaching a permanent placement in a family. Certain children, such as those spending extended time in foster care, with a diagnosed disability, or adolescents, are at the highest risk for aging out. As young adults, this population is at and increased risk of incarceration; food, housing, and income insecurity; unemployment; educational deficits; receipt of public assistance; and mental health disorders. We reviewed the literature on foster care legislation, permanency, outcomes, and interventions. The outcomes of children who age out of the child welfare system are poor. Interventions to increase permanency include training programs for youth and foster parents, age extension for foster care and insurance coverage, an adoption tax credit, and specialized services and programs that support youth preparing for their transition to adulthood. Future ideas include expanding mentoring, educational support, mental health services, and post-permanency services to foster stability in foster care placements and encourage permanency planning. Children in the child welfare system are at a high risk for physical, mental, and emotional health problems that can lead to placement instability and create barriers to achieving permanency. Failure to reach the permanency of a family leads to poor outcomes, which have negative effects on the individual and society. Supporting youth in foster care throughout transitions may mediate the negative outcomes that have historically followed placement in out-of-home care.
ISSN:1538-5442
1538-3199
DOI:10.1016/j.cppeds.2015.08.005