Health and Mental Health Services for Children in Foster Care: The Central Role of Foster Parents

• Published in: Child welfare Vol. 85; no. 1; pp. 33 - 57
• Main Authors: Pasztor, Eileen Mayers, Hollinger, David Swanson, Inkelas, Moira, Halfon, Neal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Child Welfare League of America, Inc 01.01.2006; Child Welfare League of America
• Subjects: Access to Health Care; Administrative Personnel; Adoption; Behavior Problems; Caseworkers; Child; Child Advocacy; Child Care; Child Health Services - organization & administration; Child Neglect; Child Welfare; Childhood Needs; Children & youth; Continuity of Patient Care; Developmental Disabilities - therapy; Family Roles; Focus Groups; Foster Care; Foster Children; Foster Home Care; Health Needs; Health Services; Health Services Accessibility; Health Services Needs and Demand - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Mental Health Programs; Mental Health Services; Mental Health Services - organization & administration; Parent Attitudes; Parent Role; Parents & parenting; Parents - psychology; Public Policy; Social Work; Surrogate Parents; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0009-4021

It is well documented that children enter foster care with special health and mental health needs and, while in care, those conditions are often exacerbated. However, less attention has been given to foster parents who have the most contact with these children. Results are presented from a national study on the developmental, health and mental health care needs of children in foster care that included foster parents' perspectives and observations. Their role in improving child well being is explained and recommendations for policy, practice and advocacy also are included.