Uppsatsens syfte är att genom familjehemsföräldrars berättelser få en ökad kunskap och fördjupad förståelse för hur eftervården tillämpas i praktiken gällande ungdomar i åldern 18 - 23 år som varit placerade i familjehem. För att uppnå studiens syfte har en kvalitativ forskningsansats använts och det empiriska materialet har framtagits genom kvalitativa intervjuer. Inom studien genomfördes sex semistrukturerade intervjuer med totalt åtta familjehemsföräldrar. Under intervjuerna var temaområden vägledande: familjehemsföräldrars bild av dagens "stöd och hjälp efter avslutad  placering”/ eftervård, familjehemsföräldrars upplevelse av ungdomarnas behov av eftervård, samt familjehemsföräldrars syn på sin funktion i eftervården. Utifrån Meads symboliska interaktionism samt Bowlbys anknytingsteori analyserades det empiriska materialet. Resultatet visar att familjehemsföräldrarna ser behovet av ett långvarigt stöd för denna målgrupp, men anser att det som idag finns inte kan kallas eftervård. Vår slutsats är att det finns stora brister i eftervården för ungdomar som har varit placerade i familjehem, samt att insatser som finns inte är funktionellt utformade för denna målgrupp. För att detta ska kunna förändras krävs att ungdomarnas och familjehemsföräldrarnas behov i eftervården blir synliga. Familjehemsföräldrars uppdrag i eftervården behöver även utvecklas och förstärkas. / The purpose of the essay is to gain an increased knowledge and in-depth understanding of the use of aftercare in the practice of adolescents aged 18 - 23, who have been placed in a family home, through foster parents stories. To achieve the aim of the study, a qualitative research approach has been used and the empirical material has been developed through qualitative interviews. The study was conducted by six semistructured interviews of eight foster parents in total. During the interviews, thematic areas were indicative: foster parents view of “support and help after leaving care” a.k.a. aftercare, foster parents perception of adolescent need for aftercare and the foster parents view of their function in the aftercare. The empirin was analyzed based on concepts within Mead´s symbolic interactionism and Bowly´s theory of attachment. The result shows that foster parents see the need for a long term support for this target group, but believes that the existing support after leaving care cannot be called aftercare. Our conclusion is that there are major shortcomings in the aftercare of adolescents who have been placed in foster families, and that efforts that are available are not functionally designed for this target group. In order for this to change, it is necessary that the adolescents and foster parents needs of the aftercare are highlighted. The foster parents assignments in the aftercare need also to be developed and strengthened.

African American children are disproportionately over-represented in the child welfare system. Many of these children linger in the system and experience disconnection from their biological families, communities, cultural beliefs, values, and practices. Familial socialization and cultural exposure are essential to developing a positive ethnic identity and self-concept. For African American female adolescents, hair and hair care are critical areas for such socialization and support. This qualitative study explored the hair and hair care perceptions and experiences of African American female adolescents in foster care. The goal was to examine hair and hair's connection to, and influence on, sense of self and self-esteem for African American female adolescents in foster care. Eleven African American female adolescents participated in individual interviews, and grounded theory was used to analyze the data. Four major themes emerged: hair care, perception of hair and identity as an African American female, societal influences on self-awareness, and influence of the foster care system. Results from the study indicated African American female adolescents in foster care identify hair as important. Participants noted hair is connected to appearance and shapes who they are and how they view themselves as African American females. Participants addressed the complexity of hair and politics associated with hair. The findings further emphasized the role of racial socialization and the importance of a supportive hair care environment. Participants also discussed their awareness of societal influences on their perception of African American women. They offered recommendations for improving the hair care experiences of African American children in foster care, for supporting positive development of identity and self-esteem, and for implementing standards of practice that will ensure these youths' cultural needs are addressed in the child welfare system.

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The purpose of this project is to support health promotion of children entering foster care, ensure that children receive all health care services needed, prevent the trauma of duplication of immunizations, and reduce disruption of health care as children move through the foster care system.

This qualitative study explored the foster care emanicipation experience of adults who had "aged out" of the foster care system. This study found that foster care had negative impacts on participants' ability to form attachments while in foster care and in their adult relationships.

The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding about the experiences and needs of foster parents who care for medically fragile children and indentify characteristics related to providing quality care.

The purpose of this study is to conduct an outcome assessment of emancipated foster youth, who have completed aftercare services with the agency, Cameron Hill Associates.

This study uses a qualitative research design to examine the skills and knowledge that both CPS (Child Protective Service) workers and Foster Care Professionals have regarding AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) issues. It includes information on professionals' perceptions of whether or not more education in this area is needed, and the impact that these AOD issues are having upon the child welfare / foster care systems.

The purpose of this study was to examine the County of San Bernardino's Independent Living Program's (ILP's) efforts to prepare ILP participants for self-sufficiency. These efforts were evaluated from the perspective of foster youth who are currently participating in an Indepent Living Program. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess the ILP participants' preparedness for independence.

In this dissertation, I sought to understand foster parents’ perceptions of giftedness, how foster children’s strengths, gifts, and talents affect their experiences and those of their foster parents, and what resources and information foster parents have for supporting their foster children’s education and gifts. To understand these beliefs, I analyzed quantitative and qualitative survey data from 53 foster parents throughout the United States and analyzed interviews from 14 of those foster parents. Most foster parents surveyed perceived their foster children as a little or very different academically and in other ways than their peers not in foster care, and perceived they had different educational experiences than their peers, largely attributed to their lived experiences prior to entering and during foster care. Most participants felt their foster children’s abilities, strengths, and talents affected foster parents a little or very much. Interviewed and surveyed foster parents defined giftedness as including the following attributes: academic achievement, natural ability or innate talent, intelligence, domain-specific capabilities, performance or skills above average for their age or above their peers, unique approaches to learning, and motivation for learning. Interviewees also addressed non-academic forms of giftedness, socioemotional characteristics of children with gifts and talents, and noted that these students may have some difficulties in school. Foster parents explained the adaptations they have made to their parenting because of their foster children’s strengths, talents, and abilities, and highlighted the unique life experiences of foster children, which were not only hinderances but also could help them succeed academically and in life. Participants also expressed why they think foster children are not identified for gifted education programming. Foster parents had many needs related to their foster children’s education and strengths, talents, and abilities. They made recommendations to those who train new foster parents and provide ongoing training to current foster parents; to schools and teachers of foster children; and to new foster parents about how to best meet the needs of foster children and encourage their gifts and talents.