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Full-Text Articles in Social Work

Social Workers' Perspectives On Implementation Of Extended Foster Care In San Bernardino County Children And Family Services, Brandi Vanessa Guzman Jan 2013

Social Workers' Perspectives On Implementation Of Extended Foster Care In San Bernardino County Children And Family Services, Brandi Vanessa Guzman

Theses Digitization Project

This study partners with San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) to assess child welfare employees on how extended foster care is being implemented. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews with extended foster (EFC) social workers. The goals of this study were to assess the needs of non minor dependents through qualitative interviews with case carrying workers, to assess the strengths and areas of need in services for non-minor dependents, to evaluate initial outcomes of Extended Foster Care (EFC) from the workers perspective, to identify and provide education and training suggestions and materials for future and current child welfare …


Social Workers' Awareness Of Permanency Readiness Services In San Bernardino Children And Family Services, Maria Vanessa GáLvez, Cynthia Morales Guerra Jan 2013

Social Workers' Awareness Of Permanency Readiness Services In San Bernardino Children And Family Services, Maria Vanessa GáLvez, Cynthia Morales Guerra

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore social workers' awareness of permanency readiness in the county of San Bernardino Children and Family Services within the foster care system. The intent was to update social workers on how to develop with youth, caregivers and other partners, successful strategies to improve transition practice and outcomes in their daily comprehensive assessments, planning, and practice (Family 2 Family, 2012).


Foster Parents' Perceptions On The Implementation Of Extended Foster Care, Sandy Lee Melancon, Heidie Kay Morris Jan 2013

Foster Parents' Perceptions On The Implementation Of Extended Foster Care, Sandy Lee Melancon, Heidie Kay Morris

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore, from the perspectives of the foster parents, what services were being utilized, what assistance have been provided, and what more can be done to assist young adults in the process of transitioning from foster care to extended foster care. This study focused on the implementation process and beginning outcomes of extended foster care using the unique perspective of foster parents who currently care for a foster care young adult. This study examined San Bernardino County Department of Children and Family Services (CFS) foster parents' views on the implementation of Ecological Systems Theory …


Foster Youth Group Homes: A Needs Assessment, Diana Cecilia Highsmith Jan 2013

Foster Youth Group Homes: A Needs Assessment, Diana Cecilia Highsmith

Theses Digitization Project

The focus of this study is to identify the key elements of effective care in foster youth group homes from perspectives of the direct care staff. Specific outcomes are now measured in group home care, they are listed as follows: children must be protected from abuse and neglect; they must have stable living arrangements; they must have services to meet educational, physical, and mental health needs, and they must have a plan for youth to transition into adulthood.


Extended Foster Care: The Foster Parent's Perception, Tosha Thomas Jan 2013

Extended Foster Care: The Foster Parent's Perception, Tosha Thomas

Theses Digitization Project

This study proposes to examine AB 12; California's Fostering Connections to Success Act, as it relates to the experiences of foster parents that choose to care for young adults after they turn 18. Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12) was passed in 2010 and formerly extends the time youth can remain in foster care in California. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of the implementation of California's Fostering Connections to Success Act, AB 12 on foster parents working with young adults in extended foster care. The goals of this study include identifying gaps in and lack of …


Social Workers' Perspectives On Placement Stability, Joseph Charles Van Campen, Susan May Copple Jan 2013

Social Workers' Perspectives On Placement Stability, Joseph Charles Van Campen, Susan May Copple

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to obtain opinions of social workers on placement stability. Specifically the study examined social workers' opinions of present placement tools, their thoughts on alternative placement tools, and other factors that would promote placement stability for foster youth.


Perceptions Of Group Homes Among Former Foster Youth: A Needs Assessment, Moraima Davalos Jan 2012

Perceptions Of Group Homes Among Former Foster Youth: A Needs Assessment, Moraima Davalos

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to see how former foster youth perceived group homes. This study obtained interviews from six former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 43 years old. A qualitative study design consisting of open ended interview questions was used to get a clear assessment of group homes from the participants view.


Foster Children Customer Service Survey, Adam Berenson Jan 2012

Foster Children Customer Service Survey, Adam Berenson

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to develop a customer service survey to be used by child welfare agencies to improve both ongoing social work practice and training of new social workers. Two organizations in Southern California under contract with Children and Family Services (CFS) to serve former foster youth were contacted to recruit volunteers for the focus groups. Two focus groups of former foster youth were convened to discuss their experiences in foster care. The purpose of the survey is to elicit from child clients specific feelings and thoughts about the services they receive from the agency with emphasis …


Fostering Resiliency In Emancipated Foster Youth: What They Need To Transition Successfully, Olga Cherie Phillips, Maria Guadalupe Martinez Jan 2012

Fostering Resiliency In Emancipated Foster Youth: What They Need To Transition Successfully, Olga Cherie Phillips, Maria Guadalupe Martinez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to assess emancipated foster youths' views on challenges, resilliencies, and coping strategies associated with aging out of foster care. It seeks to identify resiliency or qualities which helped former foster youth overcome their struggles while in the child welfare system.


Protective And Risk Factors In The Placement Of Foster Children With Severe Mental Illness, Dianna Nicole England, Kendra Nicole Lutzow Jan 2012

Protective And Risk Factors In The Placement Of Foster Children With Severe Mental Illness, Dianna Nicole England, Kendra Nicole Lutzow

Theses Digitization Project

The aspiration of this study was that social workers will screen and train foster parents in order to reduce hesitation and anxiety over parenting a child with a mental illness.


Comparative Analysis Of Sexual Abuse Cases With And Without Substance Abuse, Courtney Kay Barzandeh Jan 2012

Comparative Analysis Of Sexual Abuse Cases With And Without Substance Abuse, Courtney Kay Barzandeh

Theses Digitization Project

This study provided a statistical analysis of reunifications rates and treatments offered for sexually abused children and their parents. This study consisted of computer case files in Riverside Child Protective Services of foster children who had been sexually abused and will help in further research studies conducted in Riverside County and in various surrounding counties to understand the impact of child sexual abuse. Data was collected from fifty case files using computer databases and a data extraction tool.


Emancipating Youth And The Effectiveness Of The Independent Living Program, Roxana Veronica Alas Jan 2012

Emancipating Youth And The Effectiveness Of The Independent Living Program, Roxana Veronica Alas

Theses Digitization Project

This study explores the relationship between the participation of foster youth in the Independent Living Program (ILP) and their outcomes in education, employment, housing, and identification of a life-long connection. 119 random welfare cases involving emancipated youth were sampled. The study used secondary data from Riverside County Child Welfare System/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) and Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database.


Social Workers' Perspectives Of Factors Affecting Re-Entry Rates, Kristina Danielle Gordon, Lengpea Yang Jan 2012

Social Workers' Perspectives Of Factors Affecting Re-Entry Rates, Kristina Danielle Gordon, Lengpea Yang

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to investigate what factors social workers' perceive to contribute to re-entry rates of children after successful reunification with their families.


Former Foster Youths' Perceptions Of Their Life Experiences, Yodit Tesfia Zerai Jan 2011

Former Foster Youths' Perceptions Of Their Life Experiences, Yodit Tesfia Zerai

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to examine the perceptions of former foster youths' life experience while in foster care and after leaving the foster care system. It was also recommended for child welfare social workers to have contact with former foster youth on a regular basis and to provide services as needed even after they exited the system.


Placement Stability Of Legal Guardianship With Relative And Non-Relative Caregivers, Erin Renee Hebert Jan 2011

Placement Stability Of Legal Guardianship With Relative And Non-Relative Caregivers, Erin Renee Hebert

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to measure the stability of relative and non-relative legal guardianship placements.


Achieving Permanency In The Adoptions Of Special Needs Children: What Factors Lead To Adoption Disruption?, Stephanie Frances Duran Jan 2011

Achieving Permanency In The Adoptions Of Special Needs Children: What Factors Lead To Adoption Disruption?, Stephanie Frances Duran

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to look at the factors that lead to disruption in the adoption of special needs children. Families that adopt special needs children may or may not be aware that they need post adoption services and may be reluctant to ask for them even when they are experiencing difficulty.


How Independent Living Skills Services Affect The Outcomes Of Emancipated Foster Youth In Attaining Self-Sufficiency, Tracy Burks, Sandra Fernandez Jan 2011

How Independent Living Skills Services Affect The Outcomes Of Emancipated Foster Youth In Attaining Self-Sufficiency, Tracy Burks, Sandra Fernandez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to highlight the services that are beneficial and highlight additional services that are needed in order to facilitate a successful transition for emancipating foster youth. This study shows how self-sufficiency in emancipating foster youth is affected by the services provided by the Independent Living Skills (ILP) program. Face-to-face interviews were completed with ILP participants as data collected source and quantitative research was conducted using surveys and focus groups to obtain firsthand information and personal experiences from former foster youth themselves.


Perceptions Of Former Foster Youth Regarding Their Experiences With Mentorship Programs/Relationships While In Foster Care, Kwaku Antwi Boasiako, Ryan Eugene Shroads Jan 2011

Perceptions Of Former Foster Youth Regarding Their Experiences With Mentorship Programs/Relationships While In Foster Care, Kwaku Antwi Boasiako, Ryan Eugene Shroads

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of former foster youth regarding the experiences with mentor programs/relationships while in foster care.


Social Workers' Perceptions Of The Factors Related To Reentry, Rachel Joy Burak Jan 2011

Social Workers' Perceptions Of The Factors Related To Reentry, Rachel Joy Burak

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine social workers' perspectives on which factors are associated with reentry rates for families in San Bernardino County. Social workers are able to observe families and interact personally with them; therefore social workers have unique insights regarding families' needs and attributes that a secondary analysis of administrative data would fail to provide.


California Child Welfare Reentry Trends From January 1998 Through December 2007, Sarah Marie Jacobson, Melissa Anne Weber Jan 2010

California Child Welfare Reentry Trends From January 1998 Through December 2007, Sarah Marie Jacobson, Melissa Anne Weber

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the characteristics of children who reentered the child welfare system in the state of California. Another purpose of this study was to see how San Bernardino County's reentry trends fit in to the rest of the state of California. It is the hope to develop a child welfare practice to determine if a policy or specific practices can be altered so that the recidivism rate decreases.


The Experiences Of Foster Parents And How It Can Benefit Future Foster Children, Arthur Hiro Natsume Jan 2010

The Experiences Of Foster Parents And How It Can Benefit Future Foster Children, Arthur Hiro Natsume

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine how the reported experiences of foster parents might benefit future foster parents in raising a foster child. All of the participants in the study reported that they would raise another foster child if they were young because it leads to positive outcomes.


Independent Living Program Participants' Perceptions Of Permanency And Their Services Needs, Kimberly Margaret Stark Jan 2010

Independent Living Program Participants' Perceptions Of Permanency And Their Services Needs, Kimberly Margaret Stark

Theses Digitization Project

As youth emancipate out of the child welfare system, they face many challenges. This study investigated whether or not having a permanent connection was beneficial to young adults after they left foster care. It showed that even with the presence of an identified mentor to guide youth post-emancipation, these youth were still facing serious difficulties.


Barriers That Affect The Under Utilization Of Mental Health Services Among Foster Children, Haneen Sabah Alghita, Denise Nunez Jan 2009

Barriers That Affect The Under Utilization Of Mental Health Services Among Foster Children, Haneen Sabah Alghita, Denise Nunez

Theses Digitization Project

There are many barriers that interfere with the utilization of mental health services which include instability of the foster child, county/budget restrictions, racial/ethnic inequality, delivery of service, lack of knowledge and understanding of mental health needs, inadequate training on mental health needs for children among foster parents, social worker caseload and lack of communication between Foster Care Social Worker (FCSW) and County Social Worker (CSW). The purpose of this research is to examine the various barriers that affect the under-utilization of mental health services among foster children. Participants included foster parents recruited from Riverside and San Bernardino County who are …


Demographic Effects On The Length Of Stay And Discharge Destination From The Gay And Lesbian Adolescent Social Services Agency's Group Homes, Lenwood Valentino Patterson Jan 2009

Demographic Effects On The Length Of Stay And Discharge Destination From The Gay And Lesbian Adolescent Social Services Agency's Group Homes, Lenwood Valentino Patterson

Theses Digitization Project

This correlational descriptive research was focused on the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth within the foster care system. Specifically it studied how the demographic factors of age, race, sexual identity, and refferal source impact their lengths of stay in a group home and discharge destinations. It is hoped that the findings will assist further research and lead to greater success in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable population within the scope of social work practice.


Establishing Adult Lifelong Connections For Emancipating Foster Youth, Tylia Lindsey Jones Jan 2009

Establishing Adult Lifelong Connections For Emancipating Foster Youth, Tylia Lindsey Jones

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which Riverside County Children's Social Services Workers (CSSW's) are establishing adult lifelong connections for emancipating foster youth. Interviews were conducted with CSSW's from the Independent Living Program (ILP) and the Planned Permanency Living Arrangement (PPLA) units. The purpose of the interviews was to identify resources that CSSW's are using to secure adult lifelong connections for youth transitioning out of the foster care system.


Parental Substance Abuse Services That Promote Family Reunification Under Adoption And Safe Families Act Timelines, Omeera Qadir Jan 2009

Parental Substance Abuse Services That Promote Family Reunification Under Adoption And Safe Families Act Timelines, Omeera Qadir

Theses Digitization Project

Parents involved in the child welfare system often receive substance abuse services. However, the Adoptions and Safe Families Act (ASFA) time frames for permanency may not be addressing all of the long-term needs of families who are involved within the system. The purpose of this research study was to assess the effectiveness of substance abuse services in promoting family reunification under the ASFA timelines for parents whose children are dependents of the Juvenile Court. The primary information being analyzed was the case files of 50 families who were involved in Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Children's Services …


Private Foster Family Agencies' Certified Foster Parents' Perceptions Of County Social Workers And Services, Maria Gabriela Casillas Jan 2009

Private Foster Family Agencies' Certified Foster Parents' Perceptions Of County Social Workers And Services, Maria Gabriela Casillas

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the support and services available to foster parents from government-run services and to examine attitudes resulting from the contact they have with county social workers and the services they received from them. The foster parent's suggestions and/or responses allowed this study to uncover frequent themes that lead to a theory of their perceptions, and served to add knowledge and make changes in social work practice at the micro and/or macro levels of human organization. This study was conducted with 15 foster parents that provide foster care for the agency, Community Access Network …


Being Accountable: Overrepresentation Of Children Of Color In The Child Welfare System, Victoria Lee Scheele, Juliana Francesca Simixhi Jan 2008

Being Accountable: Overrepresentation Of Children Of Color In The Child Welfare System, Victoria Lee Scheele, Juliana Francesca Simixhi

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the ethnic composition of families enrolled in Voluntary Family Services (VFS) as well as service delivery and service completion rates among the various ethnic groups utilizing these services.


Parental Satisfaction With Child Mental Health Services, Frances Ahunna Ohaeri Jan 2008

Parental Satisfaction With Child Mental Health Services, Frances Ahunna Ohaeri

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to identify to what degree specific factors influence the level of satisfaction experienced by foster parents whose foster children are recieving mental health services from agencies that they have been referred to by a Coming of Age Foster Family Agency.


Emancipated Youths' Perspective On Transitioning Into Adulthood, Deann Petersen Russon Jan 2008

Emancipated Youths' Perspective On Transitioning Into Adulthood, Deann Petersen Russon

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of transitional aged youths' received services, such as, daily living skills, money management, self care, and social development, and look at whether these services have helped them transition into productive adults. Of the research that exists, emancipated foster youth are shown to be at a higher risk for negative outcomes than youth the same age that were not in foster care. The study collected data from youth involved in two Independent Living Programs in Riverside County.