Social Work Commons^™

Toward A Defined Role For Occupational Therapy In Foster Care Transition Programming, Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, Molly Hahn-Floyd, Heather J. Williamson, Catherine Lockmiller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Youth who age out of the foster care system and transition to adulthood face challenges that are exacerbated by a history of trauma, severed relationships, and instability of living and educational placements. A review of the literature demonstrates poor outcomes overall for this population. Occupational therapists are positioned to meet the needs that arise during this time; however, a review of emerging roles for occupational therapists is necessary to describe how occupational therapists can best fulfill gaps in current programming. Through a review of the literature and a preliminary mixed-methods study, this paper establishes a direction for the inclusion of …