FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

Foster Care System



Abstract

This paper examines the foster care system. Child maltreatment affects large numbers of U.S. children. This paper will examine risk factors and the effects of services in cases of confirmed maltreatment. There is a struggle to find the balance of minimizes a child's time in foster care while maximizes their well being and safety. Youth aging out of the foster care system are at risk for poor outcomes. The level of stability of placement may contribute to the outcomes.

Table of Content

Introduction of the Foster Care System4

Discussion4

Child maltreatment4

Risk factors and services among infants and small children5

Foster care system5

Child welfare agencies involvement programs6

Youth aging out of the foster care system7

The child welfare system aims8

Ensuring security9

Visiting9

Offering services9

Changing the status of custody9

Conclusion10

References11

Foster Care System

Introduction of the Foster Care System

Foster care denotes a situation in which an individual is cared for outside the parental home, in an individual family, group setting, or other children's institution. Although many youngsters may spend their entire childhood in foster care, this situation is not intended to be permanent. It is estimated that one in twenty American children will at some time need the special help offered by foster care, even for a short period. Foster care services come under the heading of child welfare, which is concerned with the well being of children and problems of child-rearing, such as abuse, neglect, abandonment, and teenage pregnancy. Host families provide a means to provide a temporary home for children who cannot live safely with their parents or persons responsible. The parents of foster families provide daily care to a child on behalf of a society of child welfare (Samuels, 2008).

Discussion

Child maltreatment

Child maltreatment could be defined as the involvement of immature in sexual activity, individuals who lack awareness of their actions as well as a choice. From this definition it is clear that child maltreatment is certainly not an activity that necessarily entails the act of penetration. The key, however, is represented by the condition of the victim, unable to choose correctly or to understand what is happening or being proposed. Child maltreatment also includes acts such as blackmail, rape, forced sexual relations in a form acceptable for a woman, forced sexual relations in front of others or with others, causing pain and injury victims through acts of a sexual nature (Stott, 2010).

Risk factors and services among infants and small children

There were 1.2 million confirmed maltreatment reports to state child protective services agencies in 22 states during 20032007 in NCANDS, including 177,568 infants and young children less than five years. 19.3% had a second confirmed CM report within 5 years (Williamson, 2011).

Children ages 2 to 14 years of age were followed for 1 year after contact with child welfare, and predictors of service use were taken at the child/family and agency/county level (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2002). Overall, this study indicates that children can benefit from a systemic shift, bridging the gap between mental health and child welfare agency ...