Three articles in the April 2006 edition of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute e-newsletter highlight recent studies about foster care.

Government could save billions if foster children are adopted
The first study projects that the government would save $3.3 billion to $6.3 billion if 50,000 children who would otherwise remain in foster care were adopted. That’s not small change, folks!

According to the article, some states have recently cut adoption subsidies because of increasing costs. But according to the study, the federal, state and local government will SAVE about $21,000 over a 7.7 year period if a child is adopted, compared to remaining in foster care during that period.

The study, called “A Comparison of the Governmental Costs of Long-Term Foster Care and Adoption,” by Richard Barth, Chung Kwon Lee, Judith Wildfire, and Shenyang Guo, was published in the March 2006 issue of Social Service Review (Volume 80, Issue 1). To purchase the study, visit: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/SSR/journal/contents/v80n1.html
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Foster children not being assessed for mental health problems
The second study cites some rather grim statistics concerning mental health services for foster children. It explains that fewer than half the states routinely assess children entering foster care for mental health problems. Between 40 to 80 percent of foster children have significant mental health problems, but only about 23 percent of these children receive any mental health services each year.

The researchers recommend routine screening (duh), increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, and training foster parents to assess mental health needs, among other things.

The study, “Mental Health Needs and Treatment of Foster Youth: Barriers and Opportunities,” by Bonnie Kerker and Martha Dore, was published in the most recent issue of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry(Volume 76, Issue 1). To purchase the study, visit: http://content.apa.org/journals/ort

Birth parents and foster parents participate in training program together
The third study discusses a 12-week parent training program that was offered to 40 randomly selected biological/foster-parent pairs. The program had two components: parenting and co-parenting.

When compared with 24 other parent pairs, the treatment group showed improvement in positive discipline and clear expectations.

The study, conducted at the New York University Child Study Center, was called “A Promising Parenting Intervention in Foster Care,” by Oriana Linares, Daniela Montalto, MinMin Li and Vikash Oza. It was published in the February issue of Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology(Volume 74, Issue 1). To purchase the study, visit: http://content.apa.org/journals/ccp