At Foster Skills, we embrace both realism and idealism. We hold empirical research in high regard and firmly believe in the power of data. Our ultimate goal is to improve outcomes, and we invite you to join us in this mission. Our founder dedicated over 100 consecutive hours to compile the comprehensive All Things Foster Care resource, which we encourage you to review. It offers valuable insights into foster care, identifies gaps in current research, and provides actionable steps you can take to make a difference. Additionally, we’ve curated some additional readings for your reference:
- The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative has published a thought-provoking report titled “The Adolescent Brain: New Research and Its Implications for Young People Transitioning from Foster Care.” It outlines a series of proposals aimed at enhancing the support system for foster care alumni, with the objective of establishing a robust network of assistance by the age of 25.
- “In Brief: Foster Care – 5 Things Lawmakers Need to Know” offers lawmakers valuable insights into successful programs that can help build a strong child welfare system and continue the trend of safely reducing the number of children in foster care.
- Casey Families has produced a white paper titled “Improving Outcomes for Older Youth in Foster Care.” This paper redefines the target population and discusses desired outcomes for these individuals. It provides an overview of the outcomes experienced by youth who age out of foster care, followed by a brief description of current federal and state policies designed to meet their needs. The paper concludes with recommendations for federal policies to improve outcomes for older youth in or transitioning out of care.
- The Social Policy Report by the Society for Research in Child Development includes an article titled “The Difficult Transition to Adulthood for Foster Youth in the US: Implications for the State as Corporate Parent.” In this report, Mark Courtney from the University of Washington sheds light on the challenges faced by children in foster care as they transition to independent living. Dr. Courtney emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of this vulnerable population and highlights policy changes made in response, such as amendments to the Social Security Act.
- “Beyond the Foster Care System: The Future for Teens” is a publication by the American Bar that examines why teens in foster care require external advice. Despite interacting with numerous professionals during their time in the system, foster care teens often question whether they receive help solely due to professional obligations rather than recognizing their individual talents and worth. The publication highlights the temporary nature of relationships within the foster care system, which hinders the full utilization of the support provided.
- Child Trends has produced a report titled “Foster Youth Aging Out,” which explores various strategies to reduce the number of young adults aging out of foster care. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring every child in America is wanted, improving home environments for children at risk, and expediting permanent placements when returning home poses significant risks. The report also discusses promising approaches to supporting these vulnerable young people as they navigate early adulthood independently, highlighting the need for rigorous research to confirm the effectiveness of these interventions.
We hope that these resources will enrich your understanding and contribute to your expertise in the field of child welfare. Together, we can create positive change and improve the lives of children in foster care.
