Youth in Foster Care

Child Welfare Professionals’ Attitudes and Beliefs About Child Welfare-Based Natural Mentoring for Older Youth in Foster Care

“…With a growing body of literature suggesting that natural mentoring relationships may promote resilience and healthy development among adolescent foster youth (Britner et al, 2013;Greeson, 2013), this exploratory study contributes to understanding the feasibility of implementing a natural mentoring program within a child welfare system. Moreover, this study uses the EPIS framework to explicate the organizational challenges and opportunities related to adoption and implementation of evidencebased practice in a human services setting.…”

“…One promising mechanism for cultivating caring relationships between foster youth and nonparental adults is natural mentoring (Britner, Randall, & Ahrens, 2013;Greeson, 2013). The term "natural mentor" refers to a nonparental, caring adult whom a youth identifies in his/her existing social network, such as teachers, coaches, pastors, social workers, or adult relatives.…”

The contribution of mentoring to the life skills of youth leaving care in Israel

“…This study also sets out to explore the contribution of natural mentoring and the nurturing of these important life skills through the relationship with the natural mentor. Research indicates that the enduring presence of a caring, supportive adult, such as a natural mentor, can positively alter the life course trajectories of youth aging out of foster care (Ahrens, DuBois, Richardson, Fan, & Lozano, ; Britner, Randall & Ahrens, ; Greeson, Usher, & Grinstein‐Weiss, ). Research confirms a positive association between the presence of a natural mentor and more positive life outcomes among older foster youth and foster care alumni.…”

A First Look at Natural Mentoring Among Preadolescent Foster Children

“…For example, many foster children have experienced difficult relationship histories characterized by trauma and disrupted relationships with parents or caregivers as well as instability and numerous placement changes while in care, which together may make it more difficult for foster children to form close, enduring natural mentoring relationships. On the other hand, Britner et al () suggest that perhaps the loss of family connections and consistent external support may create an opportunity for other supportive nonparental adults to fill that void and have a greater impact and role in the lives of foster children. This notion is echoed by Spencer (), who also suggests that children may more readily turn to natural mentors when parents are unable to provide consistent support, which may be the case for some children in foster care.…”

“…Although it is widely accepted that all children and youth need supportive and caring adult relationships to flourish (Reis, Collins, & Berscheid, 2000;Roffey, 2012;Zimmerman et al, 2013), these relationships may be especially critical for young people in foster care. In fact, a growing body of literature on older adolescents suggests natural mentoring relationships with adults may function as a protective factor among vulnerable youth (Zimmerman et al, 2013), including young people in foster care (Britner, Randall, & Ahrens, 2013).…”