Improving outcomes for children in out‐of‐home care: the role of therapeutic foster care

Frederico, Margarita; Long, Maureen; McNamara, Patricia; McPherson, Lynne; Rose, Richard

doi:10.1111/cfs.12326

Cited by 14 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…Other services potentially provided to children with mental health needs in foster care include respite services, caseworker support to foster parents, and foster parent training to understand the impact of trauma and how to provide behavioral support in their homes. These services can lessen foster parent stress, improve foster parents’ understanding of the needs of the child and effective parenting strategies, and help stabilize placements (Barnett et al, 2019; Frederico at al., 2017; Price et al, 2008; Redding et al, 2000). Although studies of mental health services have tended to focus on psychotherapy services, receipt of these nontraditional services and foster parent perception of their adequacy potentially contributes to negative placement outcomes.…”

Section: Types Of Services Providedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children at risk for placement instability in foster care

Leathers

Voort

Melka-Kaffer

2021

Developmental Child Welfare

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Children at risk for placement instability are subpopulation in out-of-home care with a critical need for enhanced mental health services, but little is known about the types and adequacy of the mental services they receive. This descriptive study sought to identify the types of mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children with a risk for moves, foster parents’ perceptions of their adequacy, consistency of therapy services with evidence-based models, and racial and gender differences in service provision. Foster parents completed telephone surveys for a randomly selected sample of 144 children aged 8–14 in specialized or traditional family foster care with a history of placement moves or hospitalizations in a large state in the US. Over two-thirds of children were reported to have mental health diagnoses, with ADHD most frequent (52%). Most children with a diagnosis received psychotherapy (75%) and psychotropic medications (90%). The majority did not receive additional services. A quarter received therapy supporting use of behavioral interventions in foster homes, with 40% of foster parents reporting this was inadequate. Additionally, half reported inadequate initial training. No racial differences in services were reported. However, girls were more likely to receive therapy described as trauma-focused than boys (30.9% and 5.6%, respectively); more boys received treatment for anger (17%) and psychotropic medication (60%). Findings indicate that children at risk for multiple moves receive a high level of services, but questions are raised about the content and adequacy of these services. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions are needed to support positive outcomes and potentially reduce psychotropic medication use.

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Section: Types Of Services Providedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children at risk for placement instability in foster care

Leathers

Voort

Melka-Kaffer

2021

Developmental Child Welfare

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“…A therapeutic foster care program has also been introduced in Victoria with similar principles to TRC. A significant reduction in unplanned placement changes was found to be an outcome of the foster care program (Frederico, Long, McNamara, McPherson, & Rose, 2017). The statewide training for this therapeutic foster care program was also developed in part by McKenzie and Jackson.…”

Section: Children In Out-of-home Care In Victoria Australiamentioning

confidence: 97%

Addressing Pain and Pain-Based Behaviours for Children and Young People in Child Protection and Out-of-Home Care

Jackson

McKenzie²,

Frederico

2019

IJCYFS

Self Cite

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In this paper we discuss the concepts of physical and emotional pain and people’s reactions such as pain-based behaviours. We describe our work with children and young people in the Victorian (Australia) child protection and out-of-home care system who have experienced many painful experiences often resulting in pain-based behaviours. We describe our practice approach with a description of the “PAIN Relief” emotional first aid tool. We highlight implications for practice, and training in response to emotional pain and pain-based behaviours.

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“…Amidst the persistent challenges evident across micro, meso and macro systems within the Australian foster care context, existing interventions predominantly revolve around enhancing carer competencies through training initiatives. For instance, the Circle programme aim to elevate the proficiency of specialized carers in therapeutic interventions for children facing intricate trauma-related issues (Frederico et al, 2014(Frederico et al, , 2017. Statutory requirements of carers require significant training to enable managing children and young people with significant histories of abuse and neglect, and multiple placements, causing mental health issues and behavioural problems (Engler et al, 2020).…”

Section: Australian Foster Care System Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Piloting the Mockingbird Family™ in Australia: Experiences of foster carers and agency workers

McLaren,

Patmisari,

Jones

et al. 2023

Child & Family Social Work

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Given that the number of children and young people needing care keeps rising and fewer people are becoming foster carers, efforts to support carers and workers in foster caring are essential. This paper considers the experiences of carers and foster care agency workers involved in Australia's piloting of the Mockingbird Family. With a view understanding experience, data were collected via focus groups with carers and agency workers (n = 20) involved in piloting, implementation and evaluation. Deductive analysis applied the theory of experience to generate understanding of experience, as both intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions to capture strengths in the Mockingbird Family's foster caring networks. These dimensions of experience included collective passions of carers and workers; experiential change over time; collective experiences as a moving force; and experiences as transformational. Understanding of experience associated with the perceived strengths of the Mockingbird Family, including strategies to promote strong professional relationships between carers and workers, is an important element in strengthening environments of children and young people in care. Safe and stable environments are crucial for wellbeing.

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Improving outcomes for children in out‐of‐home care: the role of therapeutic foster care

Cited by 14 publications

References 33 publications

Mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children at risk for placement instability in foster care

Mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children at risk for placement instability in foster care

Addressing Pain and Pain-Based Behaviours for Children and Young People in Child Protection and Out-of-Home Care

Piloting the Mockingbird Family™ in Australia: Experiences of foster carers and agency workers

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