1st Edition
Voices of Foster Youth Experts on Their Own Lives
This important book offers unique insight into the experience of foster youth from 23 countries around the world. It provides a systematic review of literature reporting the experiences of youth in care, addressing a wide range of key topics in this multidisciplinary field, and presenting the views and perceptions of these young people.
Including a meta-analysis on contact with birth parents, it examines youth’s experiences of the foster care system; contact and relationships; caregiving and relationships with caregivers; placements; and emotional well-being. These five core themes embrace a wide range of crucial topics including foster youth’s involvement in decisions about themselves; interactions with social workers, birth families, foster families, peers, and friends; the benefits and challenges of foster care; the stigma attached to being in care; mental health, well-being, and belonging; and developing a sense of self.
This essential volume is for students and scholars of child and adolescent development, social work, education, sociology, and public health. Illustrated with quotes from former and current foster youth, and with research-based recommendations for best practices in foster care, it is also for professional social workers, psychologists, child advocates, children’s therapists, children’s attorneys, youth workers, and foster parents.
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. Larsen 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
