Re: effects of foster kids on other kids

["Cheryl Fujii" <cfujii@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Pamela -

You might want to check out these resources, which as an affiliate of UC Berkeley's School of Social Welfare you are eligible to borrow from the California Child Welfare Resource Library:
 

Jordan, B. (1997). Living with the sexually abused child. King George, VA: American Foster Care Resources, Inc.
Call Number: Booklet 655
Abstract: This two-book set composed of a curriculum and a handbook for a foster parent's own children addresses the likelihood that a sexually abused foster child will sexually exploit a foster parent's own children.

Jordan, B. (1997). Preparing foster parents' own children for the fostering experience. King George, VA: American Foster Care Resources, Inc.
Call Number: Booklet 656
Abstract: This two book set promotes the stability of the fostering experience for the foster family by decreasing the opportunities for conflict between the child in care and the foster family's children.  The curriculum is organized into three 1 1/2 hour sessions.  Session I addresses general aspects of foster care.  Session 2 identifies a variety of feelings/behaviors/problems brought into the home by foster children.  Session 3 discusses ways to help the foster child become comfortable in the home and community.  The handbook is suitable for either group training or as a self-instructional workbook for the foster family and includes an overview of the foster care system; reasons for placement; and family dynamics with new placements.

Meadowcroft, P., & Trout, B. A. (1990). Troubled youth in treatment homes:  A handbook of therapeutic foster care. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
Call Number: 0-87868-354-2
Abstract: Learn "state-of-the-art" solutions to major problems of developing and operating therapeutic foster care programs--recruiting and training families, supervision and support, treatment of children in the program, and working with biological families--from three successful programs.

Pasztor, E. M., & Wynne, S. F. (1995). Foster parent retention and recruitment:  The state of the art in practice and policy. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
Call Number: 0-87868-576-6
Abstract: After presenting a history of the last 20 years worth of information on foster parent recruitment, retention, policies, and practices, this volume focuses on recommendations to serve biological and foster families more effectively.  Ideas on ways to recruit and retain foster parents are suggested and include:  respite care, reimbursement for full foster care costs, inservice training, better matching of children with families, and being more responsive to foster parent questions and concerns.

Cheryl Fujii
Resource Specialist
California Child Welfare Resource Library
 

Choice639@xxxxxx wrote:

A foster mother is concerned that having foster kids in her home (coming and going) might have negative effects on her own biological/adopted kids.  She is especially concerned about exposing her kids to foster kids with emotional disturbance.

I'd appreciate being directed to literature about the effects of foster kids on one's "own" children or literature on the effects of kids with emotional disturbance on siblings.

Thank you.
Pamela Choice, Ph.D.
Center for Social Services Research
UC Berkeley