Why Are Children in Alternative Care?
THIS STUDY LOOKED AT:
Millions of children worldwide live in alternative care settings such as
RESIDENTIAL, FOSTER OR KINSHIP CARE.
However, the reasons leading to separation from family are complex and often misunderstood.
KEY QUESTIONS
living biological parents? factors
How do these vary across regions and Human Development Index (HDI) categories?
1,054 ADULTS who were placed in alternative care as children.
How many children in alternative care have MEXICO,
What are the for placement in alternative care?
primary reasons implications
What are the for child welfare practices and policies?
UNITED STATES
CANADA THESE PARTICIPANTS NATIONS, INCLUDING: TWENTY REPRESENTED OVER
ROMANIA
Why Are Children in Alternative Care?
STUDY FINDINGS
ORPHANHOOD STATUS
80.7% biological parent
of participants had at least one living
while in alternative care
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Prioritizing
PRIMARY REASON FOR PLACEMENT
FAMILY STRESS,
ABANDONMENT,
PARENTAL DEATH, POVERTY.
were the most common factors leading to alternative care placement
REGIONAL AND HDI DIFFERENCES
The reasons for placement varied significantly by highlighting the complexity of separation experiences region & HDI category,
Creating
LOCAL DATA: LOCALLY-INFORMED INTERVENTION:
Understanding regional trends helps tailor child welfare interventions
Solutions must reflect cultural, social, and economic contexts
Preventing Exploring
UNNECESSARY SEPARATIONS: REINTEGRATION:
Addressing root causes like poverty and family stress can keep families together
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The majority of children in alternative care have at
Placement factors are
interwoven and vary by location.
Family preservation and reintegration
Investigate reuniting with family as the first option for children separated from parental care
Effective child welfare policies must be efforts should be prioritized where feasible. local, data-driven, and context-specific. least one living parent
This research underscores the need for a nuanced approach to child welfare, recognizing the diverse and complex factors influencing alternative care placement worldwide.
Based on research by Nicole Gilbertson Wilke, Jedd Medefind & Amanda Hiles Howard