NCJ Number
13999
Date Published
1973
Length
19 pages
Annotation
ASSESSMENT OF THE FOSTER GROUP HOME (FGH) PROGRAMS INDICATING ATTITUDINAL, BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL CHANGES IN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, WITH FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION ON 25 RELEASED CHILDREN.
Abstract
INFORMATION FOR THIS STUDY WAS COLLECTED, BEGINNING IN MAY, 1973, BY MEANS OF QUESTIONNAIRES MAILED TO DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES (DYS) COUNSELORS WHO HAD FGH CHILDREN AS A PART OF THEIR CASELOAD. THE COUNSELORS WERE REQUIRED TO REPORT ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER PLACEMENT AT THE GROUP HOME. THE DATA INCLUDES RECORDS OF OFFENSES, REPORTS ON SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, BOTH ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL, ATTITUDINAL INFORMATION AS TO HOW THE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS FEEL ABOUT FGH PLACEMENT, AND A FOLLOW-UP OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE TERMINATED THEIR FGH STAY. AS OF MAY, 1973, 71 CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN GROUP HOMES AND 25 HAD BEEN TERMINATED. VERY POSITIVE ADJUSTMENT WAS SHOWN BY THE CHILDREN WHILE IN THE FGH. FOLLOW-UP DATA INDICATED, HOWEVER, THAT ONLY SEVEN OF THOSE RELEASED COULD BE CONSIDERED SUCCESSES. THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PARENTAL ATTITUDES IN PROMOTING SUCCESSES IS STRESSED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT SUCH AS A LONGER AVERAGE STAY AT THE FGH ARE GIVEN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)