Therapeutic Interventions for Foster Children: A Systematic Research Synthesis

Abstract

Approximately 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems. A systematic research synthesis of empirical studies was conducted in an attempt to identify and classify therapeutic interventions for foster children. Utilizing a treatment protocol classification system, empirical studies were classified according to their theoretical, clinical, and empirical support. A total of 18 studies were reviewed, including a compare and contrast of methodological strengths and shortcomings. In all, 6 out of the 18 interventions may be considered well-supported and efficacious, 3 interventions were determined to be supported and probably efficacious, and 9 were supported and acceptable. Interventions recognizing the unique experience of foster children and foster family dynamics were found to be lacking in the current literature.

Funneling Child Welfare Consumers into and through the Mental Health System: Assessment, Referral, and Quality Issues

“…Psychologists do not recommend them, and therapists do not mention them among the services they provide. This scenario stands in tension with the recommendations of a number of organizations and experts who call for bringing evidencebased mental health care to system consumers (Marsenich 2002;Saunders et al 2003;Chadwick Center on Children and Families 2004;Wulczyn et al 2005;Craven and Lee 2006).…”

Children’s Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Clinical Outcomes for Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance Living in Foster Care

“…Despite the pressing mental health needs of youth in foster care, a recent review of the literature found a lack of mental health services designed specifically for this population (Craven and Lee 2006). Craven and Lee (2006) surveyed 18 interventions that mentioned foster children in the study, but only six were specifically designed for the foster care population.…”

“…Craven and Lee (2006) surveyed 18 interventions that mentioned foster children in the study, but only six were specifically designed for the foster care population. Interestingly, all 18 interventions met the ''supported and acceptable'' criteria or higher (Craven and Lee 2006); which begged the question, are specialized services needed to treat foster youth? Stated differently, perhaps clinically sound traditional services can address the needs of foster youth with emotional and behavioral difficulties.…”

“…While specialized treatments exist for foster youth (see Craven and Lee 2006, for a review) and practice parameters have been issued by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Child Welfare League of America (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Welfare League of America 2002), there is little evidence either of these innovations have been widely implemented (Halfon et al 2002;U.S. Public Health Service 2000).…”

Service Process and Quality in Therapeutic Foster Care: An Exploratory Study of One County System

“…emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges stands at approximately 30% (Craven & Lee, 2006). At the same time, the demand to use less restrictive environments (i.e., therapeutic foster care [TFC] vs. residential treatment) to care for and treat emotionally and behaviorally challenged foster care children and youth continues to grow.…”