We examined the effect of institutionalization on neural structure and function, capitalizing on our RCT design in which some children were randomized to foster care intervention, to evaluate whether removal from institutional care ameliorated the neural effects of early-life deprivation. Using structural MRI, we demonstrated that children who were assigned to care as usual had smaller total white matter volume and smaller posterior CC volume than children who were never institutionalized. For children who were randomized into foster care, neither total white matter volume nor posterior CC volume was significantly different from those of children who had never between the CAUG and the FCG. In contrast, total cortical gray matter was significantly smaller among children who were ever institutionalized, regardless of placement into foster care, compared with children who had never been institutionalized. These findings replicate previous studies. Link to Journal Article
Tag Archives: Foster Care
Education Stability Guidance – New York
The purpose of this guidance document is to provide information to child welfare staff of local departments of social services and voluntary agencies, local educational agencies and the judiciary about requirements related to the educational stability of foster children. Congress enacted the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. That legislation was designed to improve educational stability. The educational stability provisions were amended by the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act in October 2011. This guidance provides information about the significance of educational stability in the life of a foster child; detail the specific statutory requirements pertaining to educational stability; and address recommended implementation strategies for the child welfare agency, school district, and the court. Link to Guidance Memo
Preventing Teen Pregnancy Through Outreach and Engagement
This tip sheet offers practical tips for engaging the foster care and juvenile justice communities in teen pregnancy prevention efforts, with a focus on helping these providers understand how teen pregnancy prevention relates to their mission and the concrete steps you can take in working with them to reduce teen pregnancy. Link to pdf Tip Sheet
Improving the Economic Security of Children in Foster Care and Young People Who are Transitioning from Foster Care
July 9, 2012, State Policy Advocacy and Reform Center: This brief discusses ways that advocates can help foster children and youth who aged out of foster care access critical public benefits including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the School Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Though not the only available benefits, improving access to these initiatives offers real potential to improve children’s lives. Link to Brief
Sex Ed For Foster Youth: Why It’s A Necessity
Lack of comprehensive sexual education for youth in foster care has a significant correlation with high pregnancy rates and contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, among other negative outcomes. Despite these stark facts, the system has been slow to make meaningful reforms in this arena, but now as attention mounts, there is an increasing will for change. There needs to be consistency for any child who attends schools in the U.S. to receive appropriate sex education, but we know that doesn’t happen for children in foster care. Because of the circumstances that youth in foster care find themselves in they happen to be at a greater risk, and they need extra help. Link to Article
Religious Attendance of Child Welfare-Involved Caregivers and Youth.
Children and Family Research Center: Conclusion: Children are more likely to attend religious services when their caregivers attend religious services. This is true in the general population, and it is true for maltreated children who remain with their parents following an investigation and for children in foster care placements. Maltreating parents are less likely to attend religious services than foster parents, so it is likely that in addition to changes in their home and school, children entering foster care will also be experiencing changes in how often they attend religious services. Not enough is known about religious attendance and its meaning among children in substitute care to know if this type of change will have a positive or negative effect on the well-being of children entering foster care. Additional research that examines the effects of religious attendance on youth well-being outcomes, including youth in foster care, is needed. Link to Research Brief