Characterizing Communication Between Transition-aged Foster Youth and Their Social Workers

Characterizing Communication Between Transition-aged Foster Youth and Their Social Workers
Author: Sabrina Marion Richardson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 94
Release: 2016
Genre: Adulthood
ISBN: 9781369087956

New policy efforts to support transition-aged foster youth (TAY) were implemented through the 2008 Federal Fostering Connections to Success Act in response to studies showing a) that foster youth who exit the child welfare system at 18 struggle in multiple domains during the transition to adulthood, and b) extended foster care supports through age 21 are associated with improved adaptation. However, there remains a need to clarify factors that influence policy uptake by TAY. Youths' and workers' satisfaction with the foster care service provision process may influence youths' decision making regarding whether or not to opt out of extended care and the quality of social workers' service provision, respectively. This study examined communication characteristics between TAY and their social workers as related to youth- and worker-reported satisfaction and relationship quality. Youth-worker dyads (N = 51; M=18.69 years, SD = .44; 56.9% female) were audio-recorded during a routine monthly meeting. Instrumental and affective communication features were rated in 5-minute samples of full speech, verbal content (i.e., transcripts), and non-verbal tone (i.e., content filtered speech). Principle Component Analyses (PCA) identified primary communication factors of TAY and social workers. Bivariate analyses revealed significant correlations among communication factors within and across channels, as well as with youths' and workers' reported satisfaction and perceived relationship quality. Youth expressed their true feelings about their workers and foster care in their full speech, and, relatedly, workers were most attuned to features of youth communication present in full speech. In contrast, workers expressed their true feelings about the youth in the content of their speech, and relatedly, youth were most attuned to features of worker communication present in the transcribed content of workers' speech. At the dyadic level, planned contrasts evaluated the importance of communicative congruence between workers and youth. Workers were responsive to congruence in positivity, whereas youth were more responsive to congruence in negativity. These findings highlight the relevance of communication-based research and training for applied efforts to support TAY in and beyond the child welfare system.

Former Foster Youth and Social Worker Relationships

Former Foster Youth and Social Worker Relationships
Author: Karely Gutierrez
Publisher:
Total Pages: 29
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

The purpose of this study was to explore how the emotional and practical (resources, services and skills) support from social workers (also known as case workers) relates to the successful transition of former foster youth. An anonymous survey was distributed to former foster youth in California and Texas by the researcher and other organizations on behalf of the researcher. Survey respondents viewed practical support (resources, skills, and services) from social workers as necessary for successful transition. Former foster youth reported that the social workers usefulness was essential in preparing for transition. Further analysis must be conducted to examine how foster youth and social workers communicate and how social workers provide practical support; in order to understand the ways that social workers/ caseworkers can better serve foster youth in the system.

Strengthening Social Networks of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

Strengthening Social Networks of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Author: Rachel Rosenberg
Publisher:
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2018
Genre: Foster children
ISBN:

During the transition to adulthood, youth often rely on the people in their life for support. However, for transition-aged foster youth, these supports may not be available or may look different than supports available to youth in the general population. Relationships with supportive adults have been found to help former foster youth transition to adulthood, but little is known about the adults youth have in their network. Foster youth who report increased levels of social capital have been shown to experience higher levels of success in young adulthood. However, as former foster youth transition to adulthood, a lack of in-depth understanding of supportive adults and social networks creates difficulties identifying--and addressing--potential gaps in their social network. This study aims to gain a better understanding of how social networks influence social support and access to and mobilization of social capital as youth leave the foster care system. A social network assessment based on two existing measures was created to attain a better understanding of the social networks of transition-aged foster youth. The new social network tool was piloted with a group of young adults prior to use in this study. This social network tool allowed for an in-depth understanding of social networks, social support, and social capital as three distinct constructs. The social network characteristics included: on whom the youth relies for support, how the relationship developed, and the closeness of the relationship. Social support included: questions on the type of support available to youth (resources, emotional, advice, or constructive criticism), as well as the social support domains (housing, education, employment, relationships, and transportation). Social capital was examined based on questions about network members' occupation(s) and frequency of communication between the youth and each network member. Univariate, Bivariate, and Multivariate analyses were utilized to examine social network characteristics, foster care history, social support, and social capital. The mean network size of sample participants was 7.1 and the range was 0--36. A relationship between placement type and social network members was found; indicating that youth in congregate care were more likely to have formal (social service related) networks than youth not in congregate care. A relationship between having more informal network members and housing stability was found; indicating that different network members may help youth with different young adult outcomes. A relationship between both access to, and mobilization of, social capital was found based on the type of social network members (formal, informal, familial-biological, familial-foster). Based on the findings of the current study, research and practice implications are discussed. These include the utility of social network analysis with transition-aged foster youth, future lines of inquiry, and suggested practice/policy shifts.

Utilization of Transitioning Services for Foster Youth

Utilization of Transitioning Services for Foster Youth
Author: Sandra Gutierrez
Publisher:
Total Pages: 116
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:

Many studies have been conducted that show foster youth experience negative short term and long term outcomes after they have emancipated from the child welfare system. When compare with youth in the same age range who were not in the child welfare system, foster youth experience homelessness, unemployment, contact with law enforcement and substance abuse issues and not be enrolled in higher education at much higher rates. As a result of these outcomes various services and programs were created specifically for transitioning foster youth in the hopes of easing their transitioning and increasing their rates of success later in life. Current research shows that there are factors related to the social worker that can affect the quality of service they provide to the youth on their caseloads. Factors such as caseload size, length of experience, and education can all have an impact on the knowledge of services and rates of referrals and utilization of services. This study focuses on the utilization of transitioning services for youth in the foster care system. Social workers working in the child welfare system in Sacramento County were surveyed about their utilization of services for youth preparing to leave the child welfare system. The survey included questions regarding the social worker's educational background, work experience and ability to research services. The survey assessed for utilization of services in four areas: housing, employment, education and mental health. Questions in each area of focus centered around the frequency of utilization, the barriers to utilization and accessibility factors. This study found that there are three factors associated with utilization of services; the length of experience with the child welfare system, ability to research services and knowledge of available services. Sacramento County child welfare workers caseloads are higher than the recommended amount, however time constraints did not appear to be a significant barrier to utilization. Although transitioning foster youth were not directly surveyed, results from the social workers did not significantly show that the lack of foster youth participation as a barrier. Further research into the specific services available in Sacramento County could provide more data on what other factors may be associated with utilization and which factors may serve as obstacles. The results of this study showed that the social worker does play a key part in the utilization of services among transitioning foster youth.

The Effects of Having an Identified Connection to an Adult and Mentorship Services on Transitioning Youth in the Foster Care System

The Effects of Having an Identified Connection to an Adult and Mentorship Services on Transitioning Youth in the Foster Care System
Author: David Vargas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre: Connection to an adult
ISBN:

Using a secondary data analysis method, this research examined the relationships between foster youth's social support system (independent variables) and their youth to adult transitional outcomes, including current enrollment, current full-time employment, homelessness, and incarceration (dependent variables). Social support system was measured with two variables: having a connection to an adult figure and have participated in mentoring services. The most recently completed 3-waves of Cohort 2014 National Youth in Transition Database outcome and service data, and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Cohort 2014 data were used. The study focused on two groups of interest: the 2014 Cohort of foster youth (N=12,273) as well as a subset of the sample, which includes emancipated youth (n=74). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square Tests of Independence, and effective size, measured by Cramer's V, were used for dataanalysis. The relationships between independent and dependent variables were tested for each 3-waves of data collection when the foster youth turned ages of 17, 19, and 21. Overall, youth feeling connected to an adult figure and receiving mentoring services were related to higher rates of employment and enrollment as well as lower rates of homelessness and incarceration. However, the outcomes were inconsistent as the youth grew older even when they had a connection to an adult or participated in mentoring services. This study contributed to social work by expanding the knowledge base for transitioning foster youth. Future research should further examine how social support systems, particularly mentoring services, of foster youth affect their transitioning outcomes.

Improving Outcomes for Transitional Age Youth

Improving Outcomes for Transitional Age Youth
Author: Katherine Ashley Robinson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2013
Genre: Foster children
ISBN: 9781303203169

Abstract: This curriculum was developed to train social workers, foster parents, and supportive adults who work with Transitional Age Youth (TAY). This curriculum is designed to train on the best practices in the areas of team collaboration and building and permanency. The TAY population faces immediate adulthood and lacks emotional and developmental skills to be successful in society. Youth who have a team of supportive adults and a permanent connection to a committed adult have a greater chance of overcoming the negative odds. This curriculum focuses on training supportive adults (social workers, foster parents, and mentors) about the emotional needs of TAY including communication skills, coping skills, and decision making. These developmental needs have been overlooked in program implementation on state and federal levels. Research suggests that these skills are most effective when learned in a natural setting by adults TAY know and trust. This thesis will review the TAY population, the challenges, and the current responses to the problem. The second part of the thesis will include the curriculum modules and outline a facilitator's guide for each module.

Aging Out of the Foster System

Aging Out of the Foster System
Author: Miranda Mosier-Puentes
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 223
Release: 2024-11-12
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1040226434

Decades of demographic studies and applied efforts have convinced scholars, students, and social workers that young people coming of age and transitioning out of the foster care system face great challenges in health, education, income, and general well-being. Despite the wealth of research on these outcomes, we know much less about the lived experiences of young people leaving foster care. Aging Out of the Foster System: Youths' Perspectives adds to this narrative the personal experiences of young people who are aging out or have aged out of their child welfare placement. The authors center the stories of these young people and apply critical ethnographic methods to frame their accounts with attention to the encounters within which they were produced, including power imbalances, institutional contexts, and relational dynamics. By centering the experiences of youths in these contexts and attending to the larger forces at work, this book helps connect the dots between youth aging out of the foster care system, social workers in Independent Living Programs, and the professors and scholars teaching the next generations of professionals working to support the aging out process.

Aged Out : the Perceptions and Experiences of Marginalized Foster Care Youth Transitioning to Independence

Aged Out : the Perceptions and Experiences of Marginalized Foster Care Youth Transitioning to Independence
Author: Jodie Mitchell
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre: Ex-foster children
ISBN:

"Every day several young adults turn 18 and age out of the foster care system, beginning their journey to independence. While federal policies such as the Fostering Connections to Success Act have been created to help minimize the challenges experienced by foster youth as they transition out of foster care, many reported still having challenges during and after their transition in the areas of unemployment, homelessness, lower educational attainment, and limited social connections. Thus, resulting in questions regarding the sufficiency of these resources and programs that are meant to generate successful outcomes for former foster youth during their transition. Additionally, existing research does not adequately account for the additional stressors that Black and Latinx foster youth encounter while transitioning out of foster care. This study addressed these gaps through the following research questions: 1) What are the experiences of marginalized foster youth who are aging out of foster care? 2) How does this group of transition age foster youth conceptualize what a successful transition means? 3) According to this group of transition age foster youth, what are the barriers and facilitative factors associated with a successful transition. This study utilized grounded theory to analyze data gathered from participant interviews. Findings revealed that all the participants experienced racial discrimination while in foster care, participants identified extended foster care programs and social supports as most helpful for a successful transition and reported still having unmet needs after aging out despite the resources they received. Study limitations, as well as implications for research and advocacy are discussed. Keywords: marginalized youth, transition age foster youth, aging out, foster care, vulnerable population, foster care alum" -- Abstract

Transition-Age Youth Mental Health Care

Transition-Age Youth Mental Health Care
Author: Vivien Chan
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 485
Release: 2021-03-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3030621138

Over the course of the last two decades, improved practices in child and adolescent mental healthcare have led to a decreased environment of stigma, which also led to an increased identification and treatment of mental health disorders in children and youth. Considering that treatment and outcomes are improved with early intervention, this is good news. However, the success gained in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry leads to a new challenge: transitioning from adolescent care to adult care. It has been known for some time that children, adult, and geriatric patients all have unique needs where it comes to mental healthcare, yet limited work has been done where it comes to the shifting of the lifespan. Where it comes to the child-adult transition—defined as those in their late teens and early/mid-20s—there can be multiple barriers in seeking mental healthcare that stem from age-appropriate developmental approaches as well as include systems of care needs. Apart from increasing childhood intervention, the problem is exacerbated by the changing social dynamics: more youths are attending college rather than diving straight into the workforce, but for various reasons these youths can be more dependent on their parents more than previous generations. Technology has improved the daily lives of many, but it has also created a new layer of complications in the mental health world. The quality and amount of access to care between those with a certain level of privilege and those who do not have this privilege is sharp, creating more complicating factors for people in this age range. Such societal change has unfolded so rapidly that training programs have not had an opportunity to catch up, which has created a crisis for care. Efforts to modernize the approach to this unique age group are still young, and so no resource exists for any clinicians at any phase in their career. This book aims to serve as the first concise guide to fill this gap in the literature. The book will be edited by two leading figures in transition age youth, both of whom are at institutions that have been at the forefront of this clinical work and research. This proposed mid-sized guide is therefore intended to be a collaborative effort, written primarily by child and adolescent psychiatrists, and also with adult psychiatrists. The aim is to discuss the developmental presentation of many common mental health diagnoses and topics in chapters, with each chapter containing clinically-relevant “bullet points” and/or salient features that receiving providers, who are generally, adult-trained, should keep in mind when continuing mental health treatment from the child and adolescent system. Chapters will cover a wide range of challenges that are unique to transition-age youths, including their unique developmental needs, anxiety, mood, and personality disorders at the interface of this development, trauma and adjustment disorders, special populations, and a wide range of other topics. Each chapter will begin with a clinical pearl about each topic before delving into the specifics.

Social Workers' Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Extended Foster Care

Social Workers' Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Extended Foster Care
Author: Mina Nahavandi Moghaddam
Publisher:
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2013
Genre: Problem youth
ISBN:

The purpose of this research study was to assess the attitudes and perspectives of social workers on the implentation of the Extended Foster Care within the Department of Child and Family Sevrices in San Bernardino county. Exploring and gathering the social workers' level of knowledge and assessing their attitudes toward Extended Foster Care allowed the researchers to collect information that could be utilized to understand challenges, and come up with the interventions to assist professionals to better prepare the foster youth for independence.