Voices of Foster Youth Experts on Their Own Lives

Preface

Acknowledgements

1. The Importance of Listening to Foster Youth: “I was invisible unless I was acting out. Then I was a monster”

• What is Foster Care?
• Types of Foster Care
• Prevalence of Children in Foster Care
• Disparities in the Foster Care System
• Why Listen to Children in Foster Care?
• Procedural Justice Evaluations
• Meaningful Participation is Key
• Challenges to Hearing Youth
• The Present Study
• What Lies Ahead: Themes and Takeaways by Chapter

2. Children’s Attitudes and Knowledge of the Foster Care System: “I’d like to know the truth about why we went into foster care”

• Youth’s Feelings About Foster Care
• The System Itself
• Court Proceedings and Case Reviews
• Summary

3. Youth Involvement in Decisions About Themselves: “I haven’t really had involvement in my case plan. I don’t really get told much about my life”

• Inclusion in the Decision-Making Process
• Decisions About Placement
• Decisions at the Foster Home
• Decisions at School
• Decisions About Family Visits
• Decisions About Legal Proceedings and Meetings
• Youth Feelings About Decision Making
• Variables in the Decision-Making Process
• Youth Recommendations
• Summary

4. Children’s Relationships with Their Social Workers: “[She] looks at you and thinks, ‘you’re just a piece of paperwork’”
The Purpose of the Social Worker

• Relationships
• Tangible Support
• Availability
• Caseloads
• Turnover
• Communication
• Summary

5. Contact with Birth Families: “You don’t even know what [mom] looks like anymore”

• Contact with Birth Parents
• Siblings
• Summary and Youth Recommendations

6. Differences Between Foster and Birth Families: “These [parents] are mine, even though we’re not blood related”

• Foster Families
• Foster Parents/Caregivers
• Foster Siblings
• Differences Between Foster and Birth Parents
• Summary

7. Children’s Experiences of Transitions into and During Foster Care Placement: “It's like you're being kidnapped”

• Transitions Into Foster Care
• Transition Differences Across Types of Placement
• Placement Changes
• Transitions Out of Care
• Summary and Youth Recommendations

8. Challenges and Benefits of Being in Care: “I’ve never had it so easy, I get twice as much [food] and I don't have to fight for it!”

• Challenges With Being in Foster Care
• Lack of Resources
• Caring for Others
• Relationships With Adults
• School
• Peers and Friends
• Mitigating Challenges with Foster Care
• Benefits of Being in Foster Care
• School
• Peers and Friends
• Youth Recommendations
• Summary

9. Mental Health, Well-Being, and Belonging: “If I am very sad, I write it all down and after that I burn it.”
Mental Health and Well-Being

• Psychological and Socioemotional Well-Being
• Mental Health
• Coping
• Social Support
• Youth Recommendations
• Developing a Sense of Belonging
• Youth Recommendations
• Summary

10. Feeling Different From Others and Sense of Self: “People Were Laughing at Me Because I Didn’t Have a Mum”

• Feeling Different From Others
• Cultural Responsiveness
• Sense of Self
• Self-Advocacy
• Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
• Future Aspirations
• Summary

11. Summary and Youth Recommendations: “Take the time to listen to what we have to say”

• Easing Transitions
• Self-Advocating
• Maintaining Relationships
• Support from Adults
• Well-Being

12. Appendix A
13. Appendix B
14. Appendix C

Biography

Dr. Sue D. Hobbs is an associate professor in Child and Adolescent Development at California State University, Sacramento.

Ms. Jennifer M. Krebsbach is a behavior analyst and PhD student in Sociology at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Rakel P. Larson is an associate professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Sciences department at Riverside City College.

Dr. Christine R. Wells holds a PhD in Social Psychology and is the senior member of the UCLA Statistical Consulting Group.

Dr. Karen J. Saywitz was a distinguished developmental and clinical psychologist and professor in the UCLA School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics for over 25 years.

"Voices of Foster Youth offers a powerful global perspective on the experiences of foster youth. Weaving together research findings, policy recommendations, and the poignant experiences of former foster youth, it is must-read for professionals, scholars, and anyone seeking to better understand and support young people in the foster care system." – Dr. Luke Wood, President, Sacramento State and former foster youth

“This book offers a unique and informative exploration into foster care, combining rigorous research and real experiences. It’s a vital read for anyone interested in understanding and improving the lives of foster youth through genuine, first-hand perspectives.”

– Dr. Gail S. Goodman, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of California, Davis