Tuesday/Thursday

Research Questions and Topics – Ghosts

Teen pregnancy and percentage of orphans

Domestic violence and its contribution to children being taken from their families.

Percentage of FChildren whose parents were FC

Investigations that result in children being taken from family

Aging Out Process & Programs/Support in place

Services and Supports for families before children are taken

Psychological Assistance for the FC, for parents (biological & adoptive)

Mental Health issues and children taken from home—Mothers and/or Parents

Percentage of Drug Addiction

Qualifications and process for becoming Foster Children

Are Caseworkers, social services understaffed?

Family Therapy given to children and families

Percentage of those taken that are reunited with biological families.

Adopted children who return to the FC system.

Screening for adoptive parents in comparison to FParents.

Are foster children adopted by other countries?

Difference between domestic and international adoption; does the U.S. process make it more difficult?

Public awareness of the problem and the lack—this is an issue. College programs and post-graduate programs—Peace Corp, etc. Going abroad to developing countries rather than working in the U.S. to address such issues.

What happens to children in countries without child welfare services? And, are there any positive models? How does the U.S. compare to other developed countries?

Cost of adoption?! In U.S.? Elsewhere where children tend to be adopted?
Caseworkers and FParents—Issues of corruption: neglect and abuse (looking the other way).

Guidelines for reacting to child abuse (sexual abuse, etc.) in a Foster Home.

How often are children in Foster Homes checked on?

To what degree are FChildren promoted/made visible for adoption?

Compare and contrast success of adopted children vs. children who Age Out in the FC system.

Federal/State FCare laws and regulations.