GENERAL
Research
A review of the first 18 months of AB 12 implementation and the challenges and obstacles – past, present and future – to California’s successful implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success Act.
First report out on a partnership between Alameda County Foster Youth Alliance, DreamCatcher Youth Shelter and Bay Area Legal Aid (May 2013). The Project works to alleviate homelessness among youth who are living without parental support through focusing on supported connections to permanency options, planned independence and stability, and entry or return to the foster care system.
Examines the planning process for implementing California’s Fostering Connections Act as well as the new law’s early implementation. Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
Report investigates the young adult outcomes of youth who age-out of or otherwise exit Los Angeles County’s child welfare supervised foster care system and/or juvenile probation system.
This December 2009 Final Report to the Stuart Foundation examines a recent study, the Multi-Site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs, and provides important data to help inform the discussion about adopting the federal legislation and about the support that might accompany extending foster care.
The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth
(Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago)
Reports on the fifth wave of data collection (October 2010–May 2011) of the Midwest Study, a collaboration between public child welfare agencies in the three participating states (Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin), Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin Service Center.
A project of Chapin Hall (University of Chicago), Partners for Our Children (University of Washington), and the Survey Center (University of Wisconsin-Madison).
Provides detailed findings from the third wave of data from a longitudinal study of former foster youth in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Provides detailed findings from the second wave of data from a longitudinal study of former foster youth in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Provides detailed findings from the first wave of the study, when youth were 17 years old and still under the jurisdiction of the state child welfare system.
This 2010 Human Rights Watch publication complete with summaries, findings, and recommendations, examines the route from foster care to homelessness and describes how it is built into the system in California.
Analyzes the potential costs and benefits of allowing foster youth to remain in care until age 21. Findings suggest that costs are more than offset by the potential benefits to foster youth and society.
Documents findings of a longitudinal study of former foster youth indicating that they see better adult outcomes when continuing to receive services beyond age 18.
This policy brief outlines a number of improvements federal legislators can make to improve HR 2893’s ability to support the broadest possible range of transition age former foster youth in their development into independent adults. Summarizes current research and makes policy recommendations for federal and state policymakers.
Details the notable gains made by former foster youth receiving supportive housing and services through California’s THP-Plus program.
Provides insight into the many interconnected systemic issues involved in adapting current systems of foster care to serve youth aged 18 to 21.
Provides a comprehensive summary of the legal and policy context of efforts to extend support for foster youth to age 21; examines different approaches to extending support in light of relevant legal statutes, as well as then pending legislation.
An October 2006 report to the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, chronicling the experiences of homeless former foster youth in California. Documents pervasive difficulties across domains of life functioning by providing testimonials in the youths’ own words. Contextualizes comments and provides concluding remarks.
From Child Welfare League of America, this matrix provides details about five states’ policies and practices for retaining eligible youth in foster care beyond age 18. The five states are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, and New York.
Delivered to the California Judicial Council on August 15, 2008. Recommendation 1B includes a call to extend foster care to age 21. Recommendation 4B, based on earlier work by the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, contains calls for some provisions of AB 12.
Provides a detailed and comprehensive vision for reform of the foster care system to better ensure that youth “aging out” are supported through to a healthy, independent adulthood.
A resolution by the American Bar Association encouraging legal professionals to lead and promote efforts to create comprehensive support and services for youth who age out of foster care and other former foster youth until at least age 21. Contains extensive synthesis of research into the needs of transition age youth.
A resolution by the American Bar Association urging Congress and state and territorial legislatures to enact laws that provide youth in foster care full access, up to age 21, to independent and transitional living services and health care, and access to competent counsel who can advocate for necessary services and safeguards. Contains extensive discussion of research, policy, and legal considerations.
Provides an extensive review of research, legal findings and precedents, policy analysis, and overview of state programs which continue support for foster youth to age 21. Argues for adoption of legislation and policy changes to better support transition age foster youth.
Details findings regarding the demographics, characteristics and implied needs of former foster youth in California.
Provides an overview of national demographics of youth aging out of foster care, research into their experiences and needs, and findings from focus groups and youth interviews.
SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP FOR RELATIVE CAREGIVERS
New Help for Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives: Questions and Answers About the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008By 18 national child welfare organizations, including the Center for Law and Social Policy and Children’s Defense Fund; January 2009. Outlines the implications of HR 6893 for children being raised by their grandparents and other relatives. In this guide, 18 supporting organizations have answered a number of questions posed to them by persons interested in implementing the new act.
If you have professional or institutional access to online scholarly journals, we also recommend the following articles:
Examines the different licensing and payment policies in the United States for kinship foster care and assesses the potential impact of licensing policies on the likelihood that grandparents or other kin will become licensed as formal kinship foster care providers.
Compares permanency, safety and stability outcomes on a matched group of children placed in kinship care and foster care. Positive outcomes of kinship care call for a greater commitment to making kinship care a viable out-of-home placement option for children and families.