Current federal legislation identifies three goals for the child welfare system: safety, permanence, and family and child well-being. Unfortunately, child well-being becomes subordinate to the more easily achievable and measurable goal of permanence--returning children to the biological family, facilitating an adoption, or placing them with…

This article summarizes published research regarding the effectiveness of mentor programs in general, and for youth in foster care specifically, as a basis for evidence-based practice in child welfare. It examines the pros and cons of mentor programs and characteristics of programs that are more or less effective for achieving specific social…

Relationships between environments and children in care have deep and important implications for child welfare practice and policy. Within ecological and social interactional frameworks, preventive programs are proposed. (Author/WY)

Using an ecological framework, the existing literature and research, and the authors' combined 60 years of clinical practice with children, youth, and families, this article examines gender variant childhood development from a holistic viewpoint where children, youth, and environments are understood as a unit in the context of their relationship…

Describes ENHANCE (Excellence in Health Care for Abused and Neglected Children) of Onondaga County, New York, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic for children in out-of-home care involving pediatrics, child psychology, nursing, child development, and child welfare components. Also presents profiles of the health, mental health, and…

Fostering Healthy Futures (FHF) is a randomized, controlled trial of an innovative preventive intervention for preadolescent youth (ages 9-11) placed in out-of-home care. The program is designed to promote child well-being by identifying and addressing mental health issues, preventing adolescent risk behaviors, and promoting competence. This paper…

A conference on bonding and attachment attended by professionals and foster and adoptive parents was followed by a questionnaire survey of participants which was designed to measure effectiveness. A follow-up survey was conducted six months later. Professionals and parents benefited from combined training sessions. (BB)

Compared developmental functioning, health and caregiving needs, visits by biological parents, and case dispositions of 204 infants of various prenatal drug-exposure status. Found that infants with verified drug exposure had significantly more health and caregiving needs, received fewer biological parent visits, and were more frequently placed…

Describes a collaborative, multidisciplinary developmental follow-up program for infants and toddlers who have been in out-of-home care. The program builds on the community-based family support model described in the Family to Family Foster Care Reform Initiative. Highlights the children's health and developmental status and program effectiveness.…

Introduces a project undertaken to examine the medical/health, social services, and legal needs of African American children who have experienced or will experience the death of one or both parents as a result of HIV/AIDS. Presents the preliminary findings, and claims that services have expanded but much remains to be accomplished to achieve…

Describes a partnership to develop youth leaders and interventions to reverse violence and bigotry among youth growing up in a war zone. Details how the Croatian Project REACH (Recreational and Educational Activities for Children's Health) and U.S Children's Village exposed youth from both countries to experiences that helped them examine their…

Discusses historic significance of kinship care in preserving African American families, development of kinship care and family preservation programs, and importance of the natural relationship between the two. Presents findings on states' use of kinship care in plans for the Family Preservation and Support Services Act, and explores whether they…

Examines Progressive Life Center's (PLC) Therapeutic Foster Care program and its incorporation of NTU psychotherapy into its program model. Describes how PLC strives to improve the delivery of mental health services through culturally competent therapeutic techniques for African Americans, including seriously emotionally disturbed children. (MOK)

Explores the unique values and characteristics of rural communities and farm families, particularly individual, family, and community factors that may protect children from potentially negative developmental effects of chronic stress or adversity. Considers community strengths in supporting children's healthy development. Identifies implications…