Foster Care in America
A Reference Handbook
Foster Care in America
A Reference Handbook
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Description
America's foster care system has a noble goal - to care for children that for various reasons can no longer be cared for by their families - but years of inattention and inadequate funding have left many foster youth in a precarious state.
This resource provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the American foster care system. Areas of coverage include the scaffolding of foster care systems in the various states (each of which operate their own unique systems through their social service agencies); conditions under which children are taken out of their families of origin and placed in foster care; the experiences of both young children and older teens in foster homes; challenges for foster children who "age out" of the system; and proposals to reform and improve foster care across the nation.
Geared for students, this book contains chapters devoted to the background and history of foster care in America; the system's problems, controversies, and solutions; original essay contributions exploring various facets of the system; profiles of leading foster care activists and organizations; governmental data and excerpts of primary documents on the topic; and an annotated list of important books, scholarly journals, and nonprint sources for further research. It closes with a detailed chronology, glossary of terms, and subject index.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
1. Background and History
Introduction
Overview of Current System
- Reporting and Investigation of Abuse
- Substantiated Cases of Abuse and Neglect
- Forms of Placement
Historical Foundations of Foster Care in America
The Evolution of Federal Policy
- The Social Security Act of 1935
- The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974
- The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
- The Influence of Cultural Heritage, Race, and Ethnicity on Child Welfare Policy
- Permanency Planning and Child Welfare Policy
- Increased Focus on Aging Out
- Prevention, Family Preservation, and Promoting Family versus Institutional Care
- Strengthening the Child Welfare System for America's Children
Conclusion
References
2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Introduction
Aging Out of Foster Care
- Foster Care Runaways
Placement Instability, Delayed Permanency, and Other System Failures
Restrictions on Congregate Care
Ensuring Protection and Permanency for Native American Children
Racial Disparities in Child Welfare
- Addressing Racial Bias in the Foster Care System
Do Racial Disparities in Child Welfare Cause Pervasive Harm?
The Question of Kinship Care
Recruiting and Retaining Foster and Adoptive Families
LGBTQ Rights and Religious Exemptions
Increased Focus on Older Youth
COVID-19 and Child Welfare Challenges and Opportunities
Conclusion
References
3. Perspectives
Introduction
Changing Laws, Changing Lives, Darcy Olsen
Combating "Stereotype Threat" among Foster Youth, Tori Petersen
My Life in Foster Care, Jaymie Gonzales
Improving Trauma-Informed Treatment of Foster Children, Terri Galindo
Faith-Based Agencies and Communities Are Essential in Child Welfare Work, Natalie Goodnow
Fostering amid the Opioid Crisis: My Family's Story, Vienna Scott
They Call Me Mom, Diana Hayes
4. Profiles
Introduction
AdoptUSKids
Aging Out Institute
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Better Together
The CALL
Casey Family Programs
Center for State Child Welfare Data
CHAMPS
Child Welfare League of America
Children's Bureau
Children's Rights
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
Court Appointed Special Advocates
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
DC Family and Youth Initiative
FaithBridge
Family and Youth Law Center
Family Equality
Foster America
Foster Care Alumni of America
Foster Care to Success
FosterClub
Fostering Court Improvement
4KIDS, Inc.
Gen Justice
Healthy Foster Care America
Heart Gallery
iFoster
Isaiah 117 House
Love Fosters Hope
Mayfly Project
Monument Academy
Multi-System Trauma-Informed Collaborative
National Foster Parent Association
Native American Youth and Family Center
One Church One Child
One Simple Wish
Project 1.27
Safe Families for Children
Safe Haven Services
Utah Youth Village
5. Data and Documents
Introduction
Data
- Figure 5.1. Number of Children in Foster Care, Fiscal Years 2015–2019
- Figure 5.2. Number of Children in Foster Care on September 30, 2019, by Sex and by Race/Ethnicity
- Figure 5.3. Race and Ethnicity of Children Entering Foster Care in FY 2008 and FY 2018
- Figure 5.4. Circumstances Associated with Child's Removal for Children Entering Foster Care, FY 2019
- Figure 5.5. Children Exiting Foster Care during FY 2019 Broken Down by Reason for Discharge
- Figure 5.6. Youth Outcomes Reported at Ages 17, 19, and 21
Documents
- President Ronald Reagan's Presidential Proclamation for National Foster Care Month (1988)
- Senator John H. Chafee's Remarks in Defense of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (1997)
- Testimony of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (2007)
- Testimony of Former Foster Youth Dawna Zender Hovenier and Celebrity Psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw on the Overmedication of Youth in Foster Care (2014)
- Dr. William C. Bell's Testimony on the Importance of Fathers in Reducing the Need for Foster Care (2019)
- Sharonell Fulton, et al. v. City of Philadelphia, Petition for Writ of Certiorari and City Respondents Brief in Opposition (2019) (Excerpts)
- Donald Trump's Executive Order on Strengthening the Child Welfare System (2020)
6. Resources
Introduction
Books
Articles and Reports
Journals, Magazines, and Online Forums
Nonprint Sources
7. Chronology
Glossary
Index
Product details
| Published | 11 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 320 |
| ISBN | 9798216396789 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Dimensions | 229 x 152 mm |
| Series | Contemporary World Issues |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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