Adapting the Friends of the Children programme for child welfare system‐involved families. Issue 4 (7th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salazar, Amy M.; Haggerty, Kevin P.; Walsh, Susan; Noell, Bailey; Kelley‐Siel, Erinn
• Is Part Of: Child & family social work. Volume 24:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 440
• Publication Date: 2019-01-07
• Subjects: child welfare -- focus groups -- foster care -- intervention adaptation -- mentoring -- qualitative research; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Family social work -- Periodicals; 362.7
• DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12622
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-7500

Abstract

Abstract: Research has shown the importance of long‐term, caring adults for children in foster care. This paper reviews the Friends of the Children (FOTC) long‐term mentoring programme and how it was adapted to serve children and families with child welfare system involvement. This study's two research questions are (1) How do Friends (FOTC's paid professional mentors) currently work with, and in turn, have an impact on, child welfare‐involved families? and (2) How can Friends better support child welfare system‐involved caregivers and families to promote family stability, permanence, and child well‐being? Data were collected from 21 caregivers (foster and biological), 24 FOTC Friends, five child welfare workers, and five teachers. Qualitative analyses of focus group, interview, and open‐ended survey data revealed a wide variety of ways Friends currently support children and families. In addition, several recommendations were made for strengthening programming. These findings provide valuable insights into providing long‐term mentoring to child welfare system‐involved children and families.