Permanency and the Foster Care System

• Published in: Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care Vol. 45; no. 10; pp. 306 - 315
• Main Authors: Lockwood, Katie K., MD, Friedman, Susan, MD, Christian, Cindy W., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2015
• 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; United States
• ISSN: 1538-5442; 1538-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2015.08.005

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.