Foster Care: An Overview of the System, Challenges, and Outcomes
Abstract
Foster care is a system of care for children who cannot live with their biological parents due to neglect, abuse, or other extenuating circumstances. This paper provides an overview of the foster care system, its associated challenges, and the outcomes for children in foster care. Through a review of the literature, it is evident that the foster care system is a complex network of individuals, organizations, and policies. Although the system has been in existence for more than a century, there are still many challenges associated with the system, including inadequate financial resources, lack of quality training for foster parents, and difficulty in providing the necessary services for children in foster care. Despite these challenges, research has found that children in foster care can experience positive outcomes, such as improved academic performance, mental health, and social functioning.
Keywords: Foster care, challenges, outcomes
Introduction
Foster care is a system of care for children who cannot live with their biological parents due to neglect, abuse, or other extenuating circumstances. The foster care system is a complex network of individuals, organizations, and policies that provide temporary homes for children in need of care and protection (Mangelsdorf et al., 2019). The system has its roots in the late 19th century, when the first state-run foster care programs were established in response to the nation’s growing orphan population (Grossman, 2009). Since then, foster care has evolved to become a critical component of the child welfare system in the United States and other countries around the world.
Challenges
Although the foster care system has been in existence for more than a century, there are still many challenges associated with the system. One of the most pressing challenges is inadequate financial resources (Crosby, 2018). Funding for foster care programs is often inadequate to meet the needs of the children and families in the system (Pecora et al., 2020). This lack of financial resources can lead to a lack of quality training for foster parents, inadequate services for children in foster care, and a lack of support for foster families (Crosby, 2018). In addition, there is a lack of coordination between the various organizations and agencies involved in the foster care system, which can lead to a lack of access to necessary services and supports (Jonson-Reid et al., 2020).
Outcomes
Despite the challenges associated with the foster care system, research has found that children in foster care can experience positive outcomes. For example, research has found that children in foster care tend to have improved academic performance, mental health, and social functioning (Jonson-Reid et al., 2020). In addition, research has found that children who remain in foster care for an extended period of time can experience improved self-esteem, life satisfaction, and family relationships (Leben et al., 2017).
Conclusion
This paper provided an overview of the foster care system, its associated challenges, and the outcomes for children in foster care. The system is a complex network of individuals, organizations, and policies that provide temporary homes for children in need of care and protection. Although the system has been in existence for more than a century, there are still many challenges associated with the system, including inadequate financial resources, lack of quality training for foster parents, and difficulty in providing the necessary services for children in foster care. Despite these challenges, research has found that children in foster care can experience positive outcomes, such as improved academic performance, mental health, and social functioning.
References
Crosby, S. (2018). The challenges of foster care: An exploration of fiscal resources, emotional support, and system coordination. Children and Youth Services Review, 87, 233–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.02.011
Grossman, M. (2009). A century of foster care: Challenges to the system. Children and Youth Services Review, 31(6), 653–663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.04.001
Jonson-Reid, M., Drake, B., Chung, T., & Everett, P. (2020). Outcomes for children in foster care: Challenges and opportunities. The Future of Children, 30(2), 17–36. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2020.0007
Leben, K. R., Feigelman, S., & McCurdy, K. (2017). Long-term outcomes for children in foster care: A meta-analysis. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.05.006
Mangelsdorf, S. C., Petrenko, C. L., & Newcomer, S. (2019). An overview of the foster care system. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(4), 552–571. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2018.1547386
Pecora, P. J., Malm, K., Wang, Y., & Williams, J. (2020). The foster care system: Challenges and opportunities for change. Child Development Perspectives, 14(1), 8–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12423