Voices of Foster Youth Experts on Their Own Lives

This important book offers unique insight into the experience of foster youth from 27 countries around the world. It provides a systematic review of literature reporting the experiences of youth in care, addressing a wide range of key topics in this multidisciplinary field, and presenting the views and perceptions of these young people.

Including a meta-analysis on contact with birth parents, it examines youth?s experiences of the foster care system; contact and relationships; caregiving and relationships with caregivers; placements; and emotional well-being. These five core themes embrace a wide range of crucial topics including foster youth?s involvement in decisions about themselves; interactions with social workers, birth families, foster families, peers, and friends; the benefits and challenges of foster care; the stigma attached to being in care; mental health, well-being, and belonging; and developing a sense of self.

This essential volume is for students and scholars of child and adolescent development, social work, education, sociology, and public health. Illustrated with quotes from former and current foster youth, and with research-based recommendations for best practices in foster care, it is also for professional social workers, psychologists, child advocates, children?s therapists, children?s attorneys, youth workers, and foster parents.

1. The Importance of Listening to Foster Youth 2. Children’s Attitudes and Knowledge of the Foster Care System 3. Youth Involvement in Decisions About Themselves 4. Children’s Relationships with Their Social Workers 5. Contact with Birth Families 6. Differences Between Foster and Birth Families 7. Children’s Experiences of Transitions into and During Foster Care Placement 8. Challenges and Benefits of Being in Care 9. Mental Health, Well-Being, and Belonging 10. Feeling Different From Others and Sense of Self 11. Summary and Youth Recommendations

Dr. Sue D. Hobbs is an associate professor in Child and Adolescent Development at California State University, Sacramento.

Ms. Jennifer M. Krebsbach is a behavior analyst and PhD student in Sociology at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Rakel P. Larson is an associate professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Sciences department at Riverside City College.

Dr. Christine R. Wells holds a PhD in Social Psychology and is the senior member of the UCLA Statistical Consulting Group.

Dr. Karen J. Saywitz was a distinguished developmental and clinical psychologist and professor in the UCLA School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics for over 25 years.