Institutional Predictors of Developmental Outcomes Among Racially Diverse Foster Care Alumni

In 2010, over 408,000 children were in foster care. Yet the child welfare system, despite its tireless attempts to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being, faces much criticism as children’s very basic needs continue to go unmet (US Department of Health and Human Services; USDHHS, 2011). This is particularly evident for the over 61,000 16- to 20-year-olds who exited the foster care system that same year (USDHHS, 2011). Compared to the general population, former recipients of foster care (alumni) are less likely to complete high school and more likely to rely upon public assistance and experience periods of homelessness and unemployment after leaving care (Collins, 2001; Courtney, Dworsky, Lee, & Rapp, 2009; GAO, 1999; Harris, Jackson, O’Brien, & Pecora, 2009; Pecora et al., 2010; Southerland, Casanueva, & Ringeisen, 2009). Moreover, prior research shows that foster care alumni are more likely to suffer from persistent mental illness and substance abuse relative to those with no foster care history (Courtney & Dworsky, 2006; Kessler et al., 2008; Massinga & Pecora, 2004; Pecora et al., 2010). Other challenges facing young adults aging out of care include higher rates of criminal justice involvement, delinquency, and teen pregnancy compared to the general population (Courtney & Dworsky, 2006; Southerland, Casanueva, & Ringeisen, 2009; Vaughn, Shook, & McMillen, 2008). While these studies provide valuable contributions to informing research and practice strategies, very few of them have critically examined developmental outcomes among foster care alumni of color (Harris et al., 2009; Harris, O’Brien, Jackson, & Pecora, 2010). Thus, while children of color are overrepresented in the child welfare system (Hines, Lemon, Wyatt, & Merdinger, 2004; Roberts 2002), most of the research and child welfare practice implications do not speak to their experiences because of a lack of reporting.