Youth in Foster Care and the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McRell, Amanda Stafford; Holmes, Christian E.; Singh, Akanksha; Levkoff, Sue E.; Schooley, Benjamin; Hikmet, Neşet; Seay, Kristen D.
• Is Part Of: Child maltreatment. Volume 26:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: foster care -- reasonable and prudent parenting standard policy -- parenting -- child protective services -- child welfare -- child well-being -- social -- extracurricular; Child abuse -- Periodicals; Abused children -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1177/1077559520957748
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-5595

Abstract

Children in foster care face disproportionate rates of biopsychosocial challenges but social and extracurricular activities (SEAs) may support their healthy development. The Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard (RPPS), a 2014 federal policy, aims to increase access to these opportunities for children in foster care. Analyses of statutes from 50 US states and the District of Columbia (n = 51) revealed similarities and differences in state-level RPPS policy implementation. Building on these findings, researchers conducted semi-structured retrospective telephone interviews with foster parents across one southeastern state (n = 20) to identify local retrospective perspectives on RPPS implementation. Using thematic inductive coding two unique themes emerged about SEAs prior to RPPS: 1) negative social impacts and 2) complicated activity approval processes. Three unique themes emerged after RPPS: 1) empowerment, 2) implementation disparities and 3) resource recommendations. Policy implications include the need to support foster parents by increasing resources (funding, transportation, access), clarifying liability and clarifying motivation expectations.