Growing Up in the Care of Strangers: The Experiences, Insights and Recommendations of Eleven Former Foster Kids

Growing Up in the Care of Strangers: The Experiences, Insights and Recommendations of Eleven Former Foster Kids by Waln K. Brown. Perfect Paperback edition. ISBN: 9780982451007.

GROWING UP IN PLACEMENT TAKES A TOLL, NOT JUST ON THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, BUT ALSO THE PROFESSIONALS AND FOSTER PARENTS CHARGED WITH THEIR CARE. They make critical decisions that can affect a foster childs life forever, which is why this book plays a valuable role in foster care training. The purpose of this foster care book is to provide child welfare and social work professionals insightful feedback from former fosters who grew up in Foster family Kinship care Orphanage Group home Juvenile justice Adoptive and Mental health placements. These former foster kids have chosen to reflect on their childhood experiences through the lens of adult professionals, so that their unique knowledge might reach receptive minds looking to improve services to foster youth living in US foster care. What makes this book particularly instructive derives from the authors credentials. They are college-educated adults who masterfully intertwine their foster care stories with mature perspective and their own professional expertise. We purposely sought out college-educated professionals who were willing to do the hard work required to delve into their memories of childhood and put their painful remembrances and recommendations for change on paper so that others might learn from their lifetime of experiences. However, we did seek diversity as regards type of placement, gender, race and age. Therefore, the authors represent the gamut of placement experiences. Three of the 11 authors hold bachelor degrees. Eight have postgraduate degrees. They are white and black, male and female and range in age from their mid 20s to late 60s. The 40-year span from the youngest to the oldest author gives each foster care biography a unique perspective regarding the history of foster care because so much happened with foster care in America over the four decades of placement experiences these authors represent. The authors also differentiate themselves from the norm by the depth and breadth of their professional expertise. For example: More than half worked directly with children in care at some point in their career Others hold administrative positions in programs for children in placement Some conduct research about youth at risk issues and contribute to the literature A few teach or mentor social work students Many train and educate childrens services professionals All remain deeply committed to advancing the quality of care for this vulnerable group of children whose welfare rests with people who have not experienced the potentially devastating effects of removal from their families and growing up in the care of strangers. Most of them lived in multiple placements, as many as 17. Over half experienced several types of placement. The majority spent all or most of their time in foster care placements, including foster families, kinship care and group homes. Their pre-placement memories may shock you. Their in-placement experiences may alarm you. Their post-placement accomplishments may inspire you. Most of all, their insights and recommendations may enlighten you. Read this book and learn from the insightful information about improving the placement experiences and adult outcomes of foster children these 11 authors have discovered from their personal and professional experiences. Personal experience DOES make a difference!