The Issue of Juvenile Delinquency for Children in Foster Care

Juvenile delinquency is a pressing and pervasive issue for children in foster care. Despite this few programs have been developed to address this issue. This proposal considers the use of data from social workers providing care for children in foster care as a central means to identify key variables that will improve outcomes for children in foster care dealing with juvenile delinquency issues. A methodology for conducting research in this area, along with the limitations of such an investigation are presented.

Introduction

Background to the Issue

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2005) as of September 30, 2003 there were 523,000 children living in foster care. Unfortunately, as the overall size of the population continues to increase, so to will the number of children in foster care. Although foster care provides a viable alternative for many children living in abusive families, the reality is that children placed in foster care face a wide range of social and psychological problems that can make it difficult for them to develop into viable, productive young adults (Baker and Mitchell, 2004). Given that the number of children in foster care will continue to rise in coming years, there is a clear impetus not only to better understand the challenges facing these children, but also to develop and implement programs that can help these children effectively transition into adulthood.

Purpose of the Research

A precursory overview of the current literature with respect to the specific problems that are frequently encountered by children placed in foster homes demonstrates that juvenile delinquency is a pervasive problem for children in this situation (Whiting and Lee, 2003). Despite the prevalence of juvenile delinquency in foster care children, there is a paucity of research which on the specific interventions that can be effectively used to reduce the incidence of this problem. To address this current gap in the research, this investigation attempts to examine the specific methods that could be used to effectively reduce juvenile delinquency in foster children. Through a comprehensive review of the current literature on this issue and a review of social worker opinions on this issue, a more integral understanding of what specific methods should be used to reduce juvenile delinquency among foster children will be elucidated.

Importance of the Research

As the number or children in foster care increases each year, it is imperative that researchers consider the specific issues and programs that can be used to improve outcomes for these children. Although current research on the problems and challenges facing children in foster care seem to suggest that scholars have identified a wide range of issues that can impact outcomes for this population, there are few programs in place to address the issue of juvenile delinquency of children in foster care. Because the needs of his population are unique, it is reasonable to assume that children in foster care will need specially designed programs to improve outcomes with respect to juvenile delinquency. If social workers and society as a whole are to effectively deal with the social issues that will impact the development of society and culture, steps must be taken to ensure that critical issues such as juvenile delinquency are addressed.

Research Questions

In order to effectively understand the issues surrounding the current problem a central research question is needed. The central question guiding research in this investigation is as follows:

- Q1: What are the most effective methods to curb the development of juvenile delinquency for foster children?

In order to answer this question, there are a host of supporting questions will need to be answered. These questions include:

- What are the needs of foster children when compared with children from biological or adoptive families?

- What methods have been identified by researchers to improve outcomes with respect to juvenile delinquency for foster children?

- What do social workers working with foster care families see as the most pressing issue for improving outcomes for children in foster care?

- What specific programs could be implemented to reduce the incidence of juvenile delinquency for children in foster care?

By answering these specific questions, it will be possible to provide a more integral understanding of how juvenile delinquency can be effectively reduced for children currently involved in the foster care system.

Definition of Terms

In order to provide an accurate understanding of the specific issues being examined in this investigation, there are some critical definitions that need to be provided. The following provides a review of the terms that require clarification in this investigation.

- Foster Care - For the purposes of this investigation, the definition of foster care as provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services (2005) will be applied. According to this organization, foster care is defined as "24-hour substitute care for children outside their own homes." Foster care settings include, but are not limited to, non-relative foster family homes, relative foster homes (whether payments are being made or not), group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, and pre-adoptive homes" (Foster care...).

- Juvenile Delinquency - For the purposes of this investigation, the definition of juvenile delinquency provided by the National Center for State Courts (2004) will be utilized. According to this organization, juvenile delinquency is defined as "a violation of state or federal law or municipal ordinance, which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime" (Juvenile justice and delinquency).

Literature Review

In order to provide an integral understanding of the challenges facing children involved in the current foster care system and further to examine what has been noted about the issue of juvenile delinquency in this population, a comprehensive review of the literature will provide critical insight into these issues. In order to begin this review, a consideration of the problems facing children in foster care will be discussed. This data will be followed by a review of juvenile delinquency among foster care children. The literature review will then conclude with an examination of programs that have been developed and implemented in an effort to address the issue of juvenile delinquency for children placed in foster care.

Problems Facing Children in Foster Care

Critically examining what has been uncovered about the challenges facing children placed in foster care, it is evident that mental health problems are a significant issue in this population. According to Clausen, Landsverk and Ganger (1998) children in foster care exhibit a need for mental and behavioral health services at a rate that is two to three times above the community average. Utilizing a population of 267 foster children aged 10 through 17 from three counties in California, Clausen and coworkers found that children in this group were more prone to mental and behavioral health problems. Despite this realization, children in this population are not widely screened for treatment. As such, this population remains notably underserved when it comes to mental and behavioral health services.

Other researchers examining the status of children in foster care have noted that children in this population face a wide range of mental and behavioral health problems. For instance, Lindsey (2001) in her investigation of the challenges faced by children in foster care argues that many children bring with them a unique set of mental and behavioral health problems when they are first placed in foster care. In most instances, these problems become exacerbated by parents that are not equipped to manage the challenges of providing care to children with special mental and behavioral health needs. "With the high rates of emotional and social problems that fosterchildren bring into care, even foster parents who normally demonstrate positive parenting will likely be challenged by the behaviors of their fosterchildren" (p. 20).

Further, as noted by Hansen, Mawjee and Barton (2004) "Children in foster care face poverty, family dysfunction, neglect, and abuse with high rates of chronic health, emotional and developmental problems" (p. 368). In an effort to better understand the needs of children in foster care, Hansen accessed the records of 226 children in foster care that had received services at the Foster Care Health Program at the UC Davis Medical Center. Data from this group was compared to data from a group of children receiving care at the same center but not enrolled in a foster care program. The results of this investigation demonstrate: "high rates of chronic and acute medical, developmental and mental health problems..." (p. 376).

Finally, Holland and Gorey (2004) examined the experiences of social workers in three community agencies working with children in foster care. As noted by these researchers even when children did not display mental or behavioral health needs before placement in foster care, many exhibited notable problems after placement. This notable trend in the data prompted Holland and Gorey to conclude that the transition involved in placing a child in foster care can have notable ramifications for the mental and emotional health of the child. What this suggests is that children that do not exhibit problems before placement in foster care may experience problems as a result of their placement.

Foster Children and Juvenile Delinquency

Research on the development of juvenile delinquency among children in foster care has been identified as a critical issue for children in this setting for more than two decades. In one of the first studies conducted in this area Runyan (1985) examined an historical cohort of 114 children in foster care between the ages of 11 and 18. Data on juvenile delinquency for these children were compared to a sample of children from traditional biological families. The results of this investigation demonstrated that, "Foster children were more likely to have committed criminal assault. Among foster children, increased number of foster home placements correlated with increased number of delinquency convictions" (p. 562).

Fisher and Chamberlain (2000) in their investigation of juvenile delinquency in foster care children argue that children in this population are exposed to a negative sequence of social and emotional stress that place them at risk for becoming juvenile delinquents. According to these researchers, children placed in foster care often exhibit higher levels of antisocial and aggressive behaviors than other children in stable homes. Fisher and Chamberlain argue that these antisocial behaviors are often predictive of poor peer interactions and the development of juvenile delinquency. As such, children placed in foster care will experience juvenile delinquency at higher rates than other groups of children living in the same community. Thus, the development of juvenile delinquency if foster care children clearly has distinct warning signs that can indicate the need for intervention.

Given the overall vulnerability of children in foster care to the development of juvenile delinquency, it is not surprising to find that a review of the psychosocial histories of juvenile offenders demonstrates that many juvenile offenders come from foster homes. Campbell, Porter, and Santor (2004) tracked the social development of 226 male and female incarcerated juveniles. The results of this investigation demonstrate that only one psychosocial variable impacted outcomes for most incarcerated juveniles: a history of non-parental living arrangements-i.e. foster care. Not surprisingly, Book, Phares; Thomas, Jay; Steinke (2004) in their review of criminal referrals in a rural county in Oregon found that juveniles involved in the foster care system were more likely to receive referrals for criminal justice services.

Programs to Reduce Juvenile Delinquency among Children in Foster Care

In total the evidence on juvenile delinquency in foster care children demonstrates that this issue is a pervasive problem for children, social workers, families and society. The evidence presented in this investigation seems to suggest that while juvenile delinquency remains a critical issue for this population, there are significant warning signs that can provide caregivers and social workers with the data needed to provide intervention. Despite the presence of warning signs however, the issue of juvenile delinquency has not been widely addressed in terms of programs for improving outcomes for children in foster care.

Eddy, Whaley and Chamberlain (2004) in their investigation of programs for improving outcomes for children involved in foster care report on a program to provide multidimensional treatment foster care (MTFC) for foster care children that have been involved in the criminal justice system. Using 79 subjects, the researchers followed the juveniles for 2 years after placement in the MTFC program. The results of the investigation show that youths enrolled in this program were less likely than their juvenile delinquent peers to engage in recidivist behaviors. Further, these children were less likely to commit violent offences than juveniles released into the care of their biological parents or services-as-usual group care.

Leve, Chamberlain and Reid (2005) in their investigation of female juvenile offenders in foster care note that when these children were released from juvenile detention, they were placed in " (p. 1182). Girls from biological homes were returned to their parents after the parents had received a two hour training course to improve behavioral outcomes for their children. The foster care group noted lower recidivism rates (42 percent) when compared with female juveniles from biological homes.

Based on the data reported in these two investigations, it becomes evident that providing training for foster parents appears to be a critical issue for reducing the incidence of juvenile delinquency. Unfortunately, at the present time, this model has not been extended to children living in foster care homes; it has only been put in place for children that have committed offenses and have been involved in the juvenile justice system. If juvenile delinquency is to be prevented in this population, the issue must be addressed before it becomes a pervasive problem for children in foster care.

Methodology

Research Design

In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the specific methods that should be used by social work agencies to improve outcomes for children in foster and reduce the incidence of juvenile delinquency, this research will employ in-depth interviews with social workers managing foster care cases. The interviews will be transcribed and examined qualitatively to identify key areas for program development with respect to the issue of juvenile delinquency. Once this information has been acquired the data will be correlated with juvenile delinquency prevention programs that have been utilized for at risk children in other populations. With this data it will be possible to make salient recommendations about program development for children in foster care that may be at risk for becoming juvenile delinquents.

Research Methods

In order to collect a wide range of qualitative data, social workers from counties surrounding the city will be contacted for interview. Because social workers employed in the city will encounter different challenges when compared to those working in more rural areas, a consideration of opinions from a diversity of social workers dealing with children in foster care will provide a comprehensive overview of the best possible treatment methods for reducing the incidence of juvenile delinquency.

Social workers that agree to interview will be asked to set aside an hour for either a phone or personal interview. The specific format used will be based upon the location of the social work agency and the specific needs of the interviewee. The interview format will consist of a general overview of the social workers qualifications and background followed by a semi-structured interview in which questions about the issue of juvenile delinquency and children in foster care are discussed. These in-depth semi-structured interviews will form the basis for data analysis. As such, with permission of the social worker, each of the interviews will be taped for later transcription.

Data Analysis

Once the interviews are complete and have been transcribed, the researcher will examine each of the transcripts for general themes that relate to the prevention and/or treatment of juvenile delinquency for foster care treatment. Summaries of each of the transcripts will be undertaken such that the ideas identified can be easily accessed. When similar ideas or thoughts are expressed by social workers more than 50 percent of the time-i.e. more than half of the sample population aggress on a specific issue-these particular areas will be included in a final analysis for treatment/prevention.

After the general themes for reducing juvenile delinquency in foster children are identified, these ideas or areas will be keyword correlated with specific programs currently in place to help prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency. The context of these programs will be reviewed and recommendations will be made based on the overall compatibility of current prevention/treatment methods with the foster care child population. Through correlation, it will be possible to determine if current programs for prevention/treatment of juvenile delinquency will work or if new programs based on the need of the population will be necessary to improve outcomes.

Limitations

The most notable limitation of this investigation will be the number of respondents utilized for investigation. While it is hoped that most of the social workers working in foster care will agree to take part in this investigation, the sample will consist only of professionals working in the city and outlying suburbs and rural areas. While the data collected in this investigation will provide key insights into the issue and the problem, the sample population may need to be expanded in the future to garner a broader perspective on both the issue and the potential methods that could be used for intervention.

Further, the specific variables that comprise the social workers interviewed in this investigation cannot be mitigated in any way. Different levels of experience and education may impact the solutions proposed. This issue poses a significant threat to the internal validity of the investigation.

References

Baker, C., & Mitchell, F. (2004). Providing a secure base in long-term foster care. Child & Family Social Work, 9(4), 371-372.

Book, P., Thomas, J., & Steinke, D. (2004). Predictors of recidivism in a community based residential program for delinquent youth. Journal for Juvenile Justice Services, 19(1/2), 101-120.

Campbell, M.A., Porter, S., & Santor, D. (2004). Psychopathic traits in adolescent offenders: An evaluation of criminal history, clinical and psychosocial correlates. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 22(1), 23-47.

Clausen, J.M., Landsverk, J., & Ganger, W. (1998). Mental health problems of children in foster care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 7(3), 283-296.

Eddy, J.M., Whaley, R.B., & Chamberlain, P. (2004). The prevention of violent behavior by chronic and serious male juvenile offenders: A 2-Year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 12(1), 2-8.

Fisher, P.A., & Chamberlain, P. (2000). Multidimensional treatment foster care: A program for intensive parenting Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 8(3), 155-164.

Foster care: Numbers and trends. (2005). US Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed June 1, 2006 at: http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.cfm.

Hansen, R.L., Mawjee, F.L., & Barton, K. (2004). Comparing the health status of low-income children in and out of foster care. Child Welfare, 83(4), 367-380.

Holland, P., & Gorey, K.M. (2004). Historical developmental and behavioral factors associated with foster care challenges. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 21(2), 117-135.

Juvenile justice and delinquency. (2004). National Center for State Courts. Accessed June 1, 2006 at: http://www.ncsconline.org/WC/FAQs/JuvJusFAQ.htm#What%20is%20the%20definition%20of%20juvenile.

Leve, L.D., Chamberlain, P., Reid, J.B. (2005). Intervention outcomes for girls referred from juvenile justice: Effects on delinquency. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(6), 1181-1185.

Lindsey, E.W. (2001). Foster family characteristics and behavioral and emotional problems of foster children: Practice implications for child welfare, family life education and marriage and family therapy. Family Relations, 50(1), 19-22.

Runyan. D.K. (1985). Foster care for child maltreatment: Impact on delinquent behavior. Pediatrics, 75(3), 562-568.

Whiting, J.B., & Lee, R.E. (2003). Voices from the system: A qualitative study of foster children's stories. Family Relations, 52(3), 288-296.