Abstract
Introduction
Children exposed to adversity (e.g., homelessness, poverty) are at risk of poor sleep. Community settings that serve these children, both residential (e.g., foster care group ...homes, shelters) and non-residential (e.g., early care and education, schools), hold important understandings to the barriers to sleep they experience. We surveyed a heterogeneous national sample of community-based organizations (CBOs) in our Pajama Program sample to explore these barriers.
Methods
Pajama Program, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, administered an online needs assessment in May 2016 to staff at 3,911 CBOs. This poster reports on qualitative responses to the question, What are the primary barriers to sleep and bedtime among children your organization serves? Responses from residential and non-residential CBOs were analyzed separately. Two trained coders independently used the constant comparative method to analyze transcripts.
Results
Survey respondents (1,635) provided services in non-residential (42%), residential (18%) and combined (43%) settings. Organizations provided child welfare/foster care (20.6% of programs); transitional housing/shelter (20.5%); social services (15.6%); and early care and education (12.7%) services. Responses to the target open-ended item were from 127 non-residential and 55 residential programs. Sleep barriers common to both settings included: late/irregular bedtimes; no bedtime routine; lack of sleep education; housing/food insecurity; stress; disrupted/uncomfortable sleep; and adapting to new environments. Trauma was a barrier among residential (vs. non-residential) programs. Non-residential providers noted unstable family situations, bedding insecurity, and poor sleep hygiene.
Conclusion
Our research highlights barriers to sleep among children exposed to adversity, a largely understudied yet high risk group. Barriers reported by residential and non-residential CBOs were more similar than different. was Across program types and settings, CBOs expressed a need for sleep health education interventions for children and caregivers.
Support
Funding for this project was provided by Pajama Program, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Using Child Protective Services (CPS) and Long Term Foster Care (LTFC) samples from the National Study of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW), this study examines 2488 observations of 1415 ...different children to investigate relationships among kinship foster care, sibling placement, and child welfare outcomes, including youth behavior, family and caregiver relationships, and school performance. Although a growing body of literature has addressed issues of kinship placement and sibling placement, no prior studies have examined outcomes of both types of placement, including possible interactions when placements involve kinship foster care of sibling groups.
This article first provides an overview of research concerning outcomes of kinship foster care or joint placement of siblings in foster care. Following discussion of the study's samples and variables, the article presents both descriptive and regression analyses of outcomes. It concludes with a discussion of the substantive findings, their implications, and limitations.
TOPIC: Nationally, 542,000 children are in foster care. Many of these children have prior histories of maltreatment such as abuse and neglect, with neglect being the most common form of maltreatment ...and the reason for many children requiring foster care services. Painful experiences associated with maltreatment and the trauma of being removed from one's parents (foster care) may affect the developmental and mental health of children.
PURPOSE: This paper synthesizes the experiences associated with foster care and reveals foster care outcomes obtained through a literature search of published research. Specifically, the notions of oppression and domination defined by Young (1990) experienced by children in foster are explored.
SOURCES: Review of the literature and clinical practice.
CONCULSIONS: Most children in foster care, if not all, experience feelings of confusion, fear, apprehension of the unknown, loss, sadness, anxiety, and stress. Such feelings and experiences must be addressed and treated early to prevent or decrease poor developmental and mental health outcomes that ultimately affect a child's educational experience and the quality of adulthood. Systemic orientation for all children entering foster care is proposed as a preventative intervention that addresses associated experiences of children in foster care.
Background Children placed in foster care represent a vulnerable and distressed group that requires a high level of care. However, good training programs designed to address specific problems ...presented in specialized foster care are not easily accessible due to logistical, economic and structural barriers. The lack of easy access and a strong desire to provide high-quality services inspired counselors from a specialized foster care center on the frontline to initiate an innovative, developmentally relevant and locally grounded training program. Aims This study focuses on counselors’ experiences with the development of the training program and its impact on their work life. Method A qualitative research design within a participatory approach framework was used to understand the experiences of the counselors. All the counselors employed in the department and the leaders ( n = 14) participated in the study. Data were gathered from participants, including the lead and second authors, using a semi-structured interview, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The analyses yielded three main categories: (i) Psychological Factors, (ii) Social Dynamics, and (iii) Leadership Style and Support. Each of the first two categories consisted of three subcategories. At the psychological level, the employees’ experiences reflected the psychological states and traits required to fuel the tasks required by the project. The social dynamics of working in a team influenced the work process and, in turn, were impacted by it. Lastly, leadership style and support provided the foundation for innovation to germinate and grow. Conclusion Engaging in a locally created training program was associated with a strong sense of collaboration and team spirit. Counselors reported high intrinsic motivation and a strong sense of personal pride and drive for their jobs. They were proactive in seeking colleagues with particular expertise and collaborated on project tasks despite differences. The leadership style reflected the presence of transformational leadership behaviors, signaling an organizational culture conducive to innovation. The study provides an example of how aligning employees’ personal aspirations with workplace goals and professional development can create a workplace in which employees feel it is enjoyable to go to work.
Racial similarities and disparities in the education and employment of 134 African American and 574 White adults placed in foster care as children were examined. Logistic regression was used to ...compare differences among these young adult alumni who were served by a voluntary foster care agency in 23 U.S. communities. When controlling for demographic background, risk factors, and foster care experiences, race/ethnicity was a significant factor only in the increased odds of White alumni having income at or above poverty level, three times poverty level, and home/apartment ownership compared to African Americans.
Abstract
Sibling relationships of youth in foster care are often complicated as many youth are separated from their sibling(s) at one point or another. Quantitative studies have identified ways in ...which sibling placement influences youth outcomes. Fewer qualitative studies have been conducted to understand youth perspectives about their sibling relationships. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine sibling relationships and sibling separation amongst adults with prior foster care experience. Thematic analysis indicated two overarching themes: ‘Sibling Separation was Common’ and ‘Effects of Sibling Separation’. Each theme was comprised of multiple sub-themes that are discussed in detail and explored through an ambiguous loss lens. Recommendations and implications for supporting sibling relationships for youth in care are provided.
Sibling separation is common for youth in foster care. As such, sibling separation is common and can impact youth whilst in care and in adulthood. Understanding sibling separation from the perspective of those who have experienced it provides valuable insight into this phenomenon.
Ambiguous loss was used as a framework to help understand why sibling separation can be detrimental for youth in foster care. Results indicate a need for personalised assessments and interventions to support sibling relationships of youth in foster care.
Racial similarities and differences in mental health outcomes of African American and White adults placed in foster care as children were examined. Existing general population studies present mixed ...findings as to whether racial differences in mental health exist, therefore, the current study sought to test the null hypothesis of no racial group differences in this sample of young adult alumni of foster care who were all placed as children with a private foster care agency. Specifically, logistic regression analyses were used to compare mental health outcomes among African American and White alumni. Race/ethnicity was significant only for the diagnosis of 12-month Modified Social Phobia. When controlling for demographic background, risk factors, and foster care experiences, race/ethnicity ceased to be a significant factor.
This study examines a range of outcomes for children in foster care who have siblings, using a large, national U.S. database. Three types of sibling placements are defined: split (child has no ...siblings in the home), splintered (at least one sibling in the home), and together (all siblings in the home). The study analyzes records (n
=
1701) from the National Study of Child and Adolescent Wellbeing, including Child Protective Services (CPS) and Long-term Foster Care (LTFC) samples. It contributes to the literature in its inclusive definition of siblings, use of three categories for sibling placement status, and use of outcome measures that include the perceptions of foster children. The study reports limited significant findings. Neither foster parents' nor youths' reports of behavioral problems differ by sibling placement status. As rated by teachers, academic performance in the group placed together exceeds that in both of the other groups. For children in kinship homes, teachers also reported less problematic internalizing and externalizing behavior for the splintered and together groups than for the split group. Children in the splintered group also responded more favorably than those in the split group to questions of closeness to the primary caregiver and liking the people in the foster family.
► Reports outcomes for foster children with siblings, using a large U.S. database. ► Sibling placements defined as: split, splintered, or together. ► Reports limited significant findings. ► Better academics when together than splintered (
p
≤
.01) or split (
p
≤
.05). ► More siblings feel “part of the family” when together than splintered (
p
≤
.05).
Foster care is one of the most far-reaching interventions targeted at children who are abused or neglected by their parents, or who are engaged in anti-social behavior (Lindquist & Santavirta, 2014). ...The large number of children in foster care and the high cost of child welfare, makes the outcomes of former foster youth a trending topic in research. However, research that combines results on different extents (education, employment, wages, housing, mental health, substance abuse and criminality) is sparse. Using the PRISMA method, the outcomes of 32 original quantitative studies were compared. The studies were categorized into two groups reflecting on the child welfare orientation of the country: child protection vs. family service (Gilbert, Parton, & Skivenes, 2011). The results are clear as well as troubling. In both systems, children who leave care continue to struggle on all areas (education, employment, income, housing, health, substance abuse and criminal involvement) compared to their peers from the general population. A stable foster care placement, establishing a foothold in education and having a steady figure (mentor) who supports youth after they age out of care seem to be important factors to improve the outcomes.
•Using the PRISMA method, the outcomes of 32 quantitative studies were compared.•The studies were categorized in child protection vs. family service systems.•Outcomes of foster youth are troubling on all domains, in both systems.•Having a steady homebase and establishing a foothold in education is most important.•Having a steady mentor, who gives support when needed is a protecting factor.
Placement stability is a major concern after a child enters foster care. Several studies have focused on the different factors associated with the risk of moving the child. However, the role and ...effect of the type of family foster care is less clear.
The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of children and their biological mothers, which are associated with initial type of care (non-relative foster care (NRFC), kinship foster care (KFC) and foster-to-adopt family (FAF)), and to examine the association between the type of care and placement stability.
Case files of 361 Canadian children aged <12 years (X = 4.64; SD = 3.75) were reviewed during the window period of five years after their first out-of-home placement (NRFC n = 156; KC n = 155; FAF n = 50).
Our results show that children in FAF and KFC are initially placed at a younger age than children in the NRFC group. They also indicate that children placed in NRFC have a more significant accumulation of problems than the other two groups (FAF and KFC). Also, boys are placed in NRFC more often than girls, who are more frequently placed in FAF. Multivariate analysis revealed that children placed in FAF are less likely to face a high number of movements, even after controlling for the child's age, gender, and cumulative problems.
This study highlights the role of foster care type at entry into foster care. It supports clinical discussion for an optimal response for neglected and maltreated children, as well as better services for foster parents, according to their specific needs.
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