Top

Gepubliceerd in:

04-01-2025 | Original Paper

Forming Relationships with Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives of Guardian ad Litems

Auteurs: Heather M. Thompson, Morgan E. Cooley, Gabriel T Cesar, Laura Backstrom, Marianna L. Colvin

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 1/2025

Abstract

Guardians ad Litem (GALs) are volunteer child advocates in the state of Florida and are largely considered as playing a critical role in the child welfare system. However, there has been limited research on their role and relationship with youth in care. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine GALs’ perspectives on their relationships with youth in the foster care system. This cross-sectional study included 555 GALs from the state of Florida in which volunteers were specifically asked to respond to an internet survey with a number of open-ended questions about their relationships with youth and how relationships developed with youth in foster care. Emergent themes related to the process of relationship building, as well as factors that influence their relationships with youth and strategies for building relationships were identified. Implications and recommendations for future research with child advocates and youth in foster care, training and support of advocates, and child welfare practice and policy are discussed.

vorige artikel Protective Factors Mitigate the Impact of Parent Distress on Child Treatment Outcomes

volgende artikel Experiences and outcomes of young carers living in low-and middle-income countries: a scoping review and narrative synthesis

Anfara, V. A., Brown, K. M., & Mangione, T. L. (2002). Qualitative analysis on stage: Making the research process more public. Educational Researcher, 31(7), 28–38. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3594403.CrossRef

Appointment of guardian ad litem for abused, abandoned, or neglected child, Florida Statutes. (2017). §§ 39.822(1), 39.402. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0039/Sections/0039.822.html.

Ball, B., Sevillano, L., Faulkner, M., & Belseth, T. (2021). Agency, genuine support, and emotional connection: Experiences that promote relational permanency in foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 121, 105852 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105852.CrossRef

Best, J. I., & Blakeslee, J. E. (2020). Perspectives of youth aging out of foster care on relationship strength and closeness in their support networks. Children and Youth Services Review, 108, 104626 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104626.CrossRefPubMed

Braun, V., & Clark, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.CrossRef

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328–352. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238.CrossRef

Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., & Terry, G. (2019). Thematic analysis. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Handbook of research methods in health social sciences (pp. 843–860). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5251-4_103.

Brend, D. M., & Collin-Vézina, D. (2022). Stronger together: Workplace social support among residential child welfare professionals. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130, 105302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105302.CrossRef

Brennan, K., Wilson, D., George, T., & McLaughlin, O. (2010). Washington State Court Appointed Special Advocate program evaluation report. Seattle: University of Washington School of Social Work and Washington State Center for Court Research. https://www.courts.wa.gov/subsite/wsccr/docs/CASA%20Evaluation%20Report.pdf.

Burton, S., Raposa, E. B., Poon, C. Y., Stams, G. J. J., & Rhodes, J. (2022). Cross‐age peer mentoring for youth: A meta‐analysis. American Journal of Community Psychology, 70(1-2), 211–227. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12579.CrossRefPubMed

Casa for Children (n.d.). Our Reach. Retrieved from https://nationalcasagal.org/our-impact/our-reach/.

Cesar, G. T., & Decker, S. H. (2020). “CPS Sucks, but… I think I’m better off in the system:” Family, social support, & arts-based mentorship in child protective services. Children and Youth Services Review, 118, 105388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105388.CrossRef

Collins, M. E., Paris, R., & Ward, R. L. (2008). The permanence of family ties: Implications for youth transitioning from foster care. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78(1), 54–62. https://doi.org/10.1037/0002-9432.78.1.54.CrossRefPubMed

Cooley, M. E., Thompson, H. M., & Colvin, M. L. (2019). A qualitative examination of recruitment and motivation to become a Guardian ad Litem in the child welfare system. Children and Youth Services Review, 99, 115–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.01.031.

Colvin, M., Cooley, M. E., Thompson, H. M., & Howard, H. (2022). A platform for social action: Engaging and supporting the voice of youth in foster care receiving independent living services. Priority Research Award 2021. Research Report for the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. https://ficw.fsu.edu/assets/documents/FR_A-Platform-for-Social-Action_113022.pdf.

Creaney, S. (2020). Children’s voices—are we listening? Progressing peer mentoring in the youth justice system. Child Care in Practice, 26(1), 22–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2018.1521381.CrossRef

Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Sage Publications

D’Cruz, H., Gillingham, P., & Melendez, S. (2007). Reflexivity, its meanings and relevance for social work: A critical review of the literature. The British Journal of Social Work, 37(1), 73–90. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23721231.CrossRef

Dye, J. F., Schatz, I. M., Rosenberg, B. A., & Coleman, S. T. (2000). Constant comparison method: A kaleidoscope of data. The Qualitative Report, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2000.2090.CrossRef

Edwards, T., King, B., Risidore, J., & Parada, H. (2023). Many households but never a home: Stories of resistance from Black youth navigating placement instability in Ontario’s child welfare system. Journal of Youth Studies, 26(9), 1219–1239. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2022.2080539.CrossRef

Farineau, H. M., Wojciak, A. S., & McWey, L. M. (2013). You matter to me: Relationships and self-esteem of adolescents in foster care. Child & Family Social Work, 18, 129–138. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2206.2011.00808.x.

Florida Guardian ad Litem Office (2020). 2020 Annual report. Tallahassee, FL. https://guardianadlitem.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20_GaL-Annual-Report_Web-flip.pdf.

Florida Guardian ad Litem office. (2022). Volunteer trainings and resources. Tallahassee, FL. https://guardianadlitem.org/volunteer-resources-and-trainings/.

Guardian ad Litem, Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 8.215 (n.d.). https://www.flcourts.gov/content/download/217911/file/Florida-Rules-of-Juvenile-Procedure.pdf.

Gladstone, J., Dumbrill, G., Leslie, B., Koster, A., Young, M., & Ismaila, A. (2014). Understanding worker–parent engagement in child protection casework. Children and Youth Services Review, 44, 56–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.06.002.CrossRef

Greeson, J. K., & Bowen, N. K. (2008). “She holds my hand” The experiences of foster youth with their natural mentors. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(10), 1178–1188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2008.03.003.CrossRef

Greeson, J. K., Briggs, E. C., Kisiel, C. L., Layne, C. M., Ake, G. S., Ko, S. J., & Fairbank, J. A. (2011). Complex trauma and mental health in children and adolescents placed in foster care. Child Welfare, 90(6), 91–108. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48625371.PubMed

Greeson, J. K., Thompson, A. E., Ali, S., & Wenger, R. S. (2015). It’s good to know that you got somebody that’s not going anywhere: Attitudes and beliefs of older youth in foster care about child welfare-based natural mentoring. Children and Youth Services Review, 48, 140–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.12.015.CrossRef

Jaggers, J. W., Beerbower, E., Kondrat, D., Aalsma, M. C., & Hall, J. A. (2018). Contextual factors influencing recommendations for service provision by Guardian ad litem and Court-Appointed Special Advocates. Families in Society, 99(3), 244–255. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389418784963.CrossRef

Katz, C. C., & Geiger, J. M. (2023). The role of court appointed special advocates (CASAs) in the lives of transition-age youth with foster care experience. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 40(1), 17–27.CrossRef

Kothari, B. H., McBeath, B., Sorenson, P., Bank, L., Waid, J., Webb, S. J., & Steele, J. (2017). An intervention to improve sibling relationship quality among youth in foster care: Results of a randomized clinical trial. Child Abuse & Neglect, 63, 19–29. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27888737/.CrossRef

Kothari, B. H., Blakeslee, J., & Miller, R. (2020). Individual and interpersonal factors associated with psychosocial functioning among adolescents in foster care: A scoping review. Children and Youth Services Review, 118, 105454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105454.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Levitt, H. M., Bamberg, M., Creswell, J. W., Frost, D. M., Josselson, R., & Suárez-Orozco, C. (2018). Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board task force report. American Psychologist, 73(1), 26–46. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000151.CrossRefPubMed

McDaniel, S. C., & Besnoy, K. D. (2019). Cross-age peer mentoring for elementary students with behavioral and academic risk factors. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 63(3), 254–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2019.1579163.CrossRef

Milojevich, H. M., Quas, J. A., & Adams, B. L. (2021). Quality of sibling relationships in maltreated youth residing in out-of-home care. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(1-2), 793–819. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517730562.CrossRefPubMed

Modrowski, C. A., Chaplo, S. D., & Kerig, P. K. (2022). Advancing our understanding of the risk factors associated with crossover youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems: A trauma-informed research agenda. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 25, 283–299. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-021-00370-4.CrossRefPubMed

National CASA Association. (2016). Annual Local Program Survey Report 2016. Retrieved from http://nc.casaforchildren.org/files/secure/community/programs/communications/LocalSurvey2016.pdf.

Organizational Research Services. (2005). Evaluation of Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem volunteer impact: Judicial survey. The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association. http://nationalcasagal.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Judges_Survey_FullReport_Appendices.pdf.

Osborne, C., Warner-Doe, H., & Lawson, J. (2019). Who gets a CASA? Selective characteristics of children appointed a CASA advocate. Children and Youth Services Review, 98, 65–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.12.020.CrossRefPubMed

Poon, C. Y. S., Christensen, K. M., & Rhodes, J. E. (2021). A meta-analysis of the effects of mentoring on youth in foster care. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50(9), 1741–1756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-021-01472-6.CrossRefPubMed

Proceedings related to children, Florida Statutes. (2023). §§ 39.820(1). http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0039/Sections/0039.820.html.

Samuels, G. M., & Pryce, J. M. (2008). “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”: Survivalist self-reliance as resilience and risk among young adults aging out of foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(10), 1198–1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2008.03.005.CrossRef

Siegel, G. C., Halemba, G. J., Gunn, R. D., Zawacki, S., Bozynski, M., & Black, M. S. (2001). Arizona CASA effectiveness study. Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice.

Sepulveda, K., & Williams, S. C. (2019, May 7). Older youth in foster care need support to make a successful transition to adulthood. Child Trends. https://www.childtrends.org/blog/older-youth-in-foster-care-need-support-to-make-a-successful-transition-to-adulthood.

Tahkola, E. M., Metsäpelto, R. L., Ruohotie‐Lyhty, M., & Poikkeus, A. M. (2021). Relationships of young adults with foster care backgrounds: Tensions and management strategies. Child & Family Social Work, 26(3), 358–369. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12816.CrossRef

Toros, K., & Falch-Eriksen, A. (2021). Strengths-based practice in child welfare: A systematic literature review. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30, 1586–1598. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01947-x.CrossRef

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (USDHHS), Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2023). The AFCARS Report – No. 30. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/afcars-report-30.pdf.

Weiler, L. M., Lee, S. ‐K., Zhang, J., Ausherbauer, K., Schwartz, S. E. O., Kanchewa, S. S., & Taussig, H. N. (2022). Mentoring children in foster care: Examining relationship histories as moderators of intervention impact on children’s mental health and trauma symptoms. American Journal of Community Psychology, 69(1-2), 100–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12549.CrossRefPubMed

Weisz, V., & Thai, N. (2003). The Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program: Bringing information to child abuse & neglect cases. Child Maltreatment, 8(3), 204–210. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559503254140.CrossRefPubMed

Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in qualitative health research. Psychology & Health, 15, 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440008400302.CrossRef

Titel: Forming Relationships with Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives of Guardian ad Litems
Auteurs: Heather M. Thompson
Morgan E. Cooley
Gabriel T Cesar
Laura Backstrom
Marianna L. Colvin
Publicatiedatum: 04-01-2025
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 1/2025
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02980-2

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2025

Parent and Child Reactivity During Dyadic Parent–Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) Behavior Observations

Original Paper

Finding Strength Amidst the Crisis: Student Parent Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Open Access
Original Paper

Measurement of Infant Neglect: A Systematic Review

Review

Protective Factors Mitigate the Impact of Parent Distress on Child Treatment Outcomes

Original Paper

Parenting Styles and Adolescents’ Cyberbullying: The Indirect Effect of Attitude Towards Human Dignity

Original Paper

A Step Forward in Understanding Gender Differences in Parental Burnout: Parental Involvement and Emotion Regulation

Original Paper

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij Scalda & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

Forming Relationships with Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives of Guardian ad Litems

Abstract

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2025

Parent and Child Reactivity During Dyadic Parent–Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) Behavior Observations

Finding Strength Amidst the Crisis: Student Parent Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Measurement of Infant Neglect: A Systematic Review

Protective Factors Mitigate the Impact of Parent Distress on Child Treatment Outcomes

Parenting Styles and Adolescents’ Cyberbullying: The Indirect Effect of Attitude Towards Human Dignity

A Step Forward in Understanding Gender Differences in Parental Burnout: Parental Involvement and Emotion Regulation

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij Scalda & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

Abstract

Log in om toegang te krijgen

Parent and Child Reactivity During Dyadic Parent–Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) Behavior Observations

Finding Strength Amidst the Crisis: Student Parent Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Measurement of Infant Neglect: A Systematic Review

Protective Factors Mitigate the Impact of Parent Distress on Child Treatment Outcomes

Parenting Styles and Adolescents’ Cyberbullying: The Indirect Effect of Attitude Towards Human Dignity

A Step Forward in Understanding Gender Differences in Parental Burnout: Parental Involvement and Emotion Regulation