Small Group Model for Specialized Foster Care for 'Hard to Place' Juvenile Offenders

• NCJ Number: 76518
• Author(s): K Barnes
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 80 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-JS-AX-0003
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr on Institutions and Alternatives
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; National Ctr on Institutions and Alternatives
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This manual provides State and local youth service agencies with a structure for developing a specialized foster care program for juveniles aged 12 to 18 who manifest delinquent and other 'acting-out' behaviors.

Abstract

The target population includes youth who are currently living in institutional settings, recently adjudicated offenders, adolescent sibling groups or individuals with severe 'acting-out' behaviors, and youth with potential delinquency problems who are in danger of institutionalization. The manual's introductory section presents a brief description of a specialized foster home model that provides a community-based, nonsecure placement alternative for juvenile offenders. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of youth, foster parents, and staff are discussed. The first step in developing a specialized foster care system is described as identifying a target population using age range, geographic catchment area, organizational type, placement goals, behavioral expectations, and the number of youth to be served as criteria. In addition, the staffing structure of small specialized foster care systems is discussed, and job descriptions are provided for a training and recruitment specialist, support services specialist, program supervisor, and program director. Agencies are also shown how to recruit appropriate and successful foster parents using media, public speakers, and informal conversations; how to interview and provide information for potential foster parents; and how to facilitate the application process for parent licensing and approval. Furthermore, the manual suggests minimal standards for specialized foster home licensing and approval regarding placement facilities for adolescent foster children; provides a list of training areas to be covered in a specialized foster care training program; and describes issues involved in program maintenance, such as foster parent support, staff support, ongoing foster home recruitment, community support, and program expansion. Finally, the monitoring and evaluation of the specialized foster care system is considered. Figures are included; suggested forms relating to the program are appended.