Oxford Scholarship Online: What Works in Foster Care?

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Subject: Social Work Book Title: What Works in Foster Care?

What Works in Foster Care? Key Components of Success From the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study Pecora, Peter J., Professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington Kessler, Ronald C., Professor of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School Williams, Jason, Research Analyst, University of Alaska English, Diana J., Senior Director, Strategic Consulting, Casey Family Programs White, James, Research Associate, Child Welfare Partnership, Portland State University O'Brien, Kirk, Senior Research Analyst, Casey Family Programs Print publication date: 2009 Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: September 2009 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-19-517591-2 doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195175912.001.0001
Abstract: This book reports the findings from the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study, which examined outcomes for adults who were placed in family foster care as children. The primary research questions were as follows: (1) How are maltreated youth who were placed in foster care faring as adults? To what extent are they different in their functioning from other adults? (2) Are there key factors or program components that are linked with better functioning in adulthood? The book also contains the agency comparisons and the predictive equations that link certain demographic foster care experiences and interventions with more positive alumni outcomes. Keywords: child welfare, foster care, foster care alumni, Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study, mental health, foster care practice, foster care outcomes, education in foster care, employment in foster care, family foster care Table of Contents Full Book Contents PART I. INTRODUCTION 1. Study Background, Rationale, and Participating Agencies 2. Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks and Past Research PART II. STUDY METHODS 3. Study Sample and Demographics of the Participating Agencies 4. Data Sources, Variables, and Data Collection Procedures PART III. RISK FACTORS 5. Risk Factors PART IV. OUTCOME FINDINGS 6. Mental and Physical Health Functioning 7. Educational Achievements 8. Employment and Finances 9. Relationships, Social Support Networks, and Parenting 10. Relation Between Agency Membership and Outcomes 11. Relation Between Foster Care Experience and Outcomes 12. Effects of Optimizing the Foster Care Experience on Outcomes 13. Summary and Recommendations Appendix Bibliography Index

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195175912.001.0001