This paper draws on data collected from two of the most extensive longitudinal studies of care leavers in the US. The Midwest Study (2003-2011) included 732 youths in foster care in three Midwestern states, and the CalYOUTH Study (2012-present) includes 727 youths in California foster care. The paper has three objectives: (1) describe trends in…

Children from low-income families are more likely than those from higher income families to have poor social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes. One approach that has helped parents and their young children is home visiting, which provides information, resources, and support to expectant parents and families with young…

A synthesis of data and major recommendations from foster care studies undertaken by the states of Arizona, California, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont, this report focuses on areas needing improvement. Covered in detail are: (1) the foster care system, its programs and goals; (2) foster children and their natural and foster families; (3) agency…