THE KENTUCKY FOSTER CARE CENSUS
Proactive and Child-Centered
State child welfare agencies have been under increasing pressure to account for the safety and well-being of the children in the out-of-home care. When children are removed from their homes, the state assumes responsibility to nurture and improve the quality of life for each child. The public, legislators, child advocates, and the Child and Family Service Review seek answers to questions about the quality of care provided in the foster system and its impact on child capabilities and well-being.
Kentucky has responded to these needs and concerns with a child-centered, proactive ‘census’ of all of its foster children. Dr. Viola Miller, Secretary of the Cabinet for Families and Children, initiated the Kentucky Foster Care Census to verify the placement and safety of each child in Kentucky’s care. While conducting the safety census, extensive data on well-being indicators were collected on all children.
To conduct the census, a statewide research/training consortium was initiated between the Cabinet and eight public and three private universities. Student ‘census takers’ were recruited from social work and other human service professions, enrolled in specialized undergraduate or graduate courses, and made face to face contacts in every home.
During The Census:
- 100% of the 6,300 children in foster care on the date the census was set were seen and met in their foster home, residential setting, or relative placement;
- Extensive data on child well-being indicators were collected from the foster parents or agency staff for every child;
- 85% of all adult care providers completed a comprehensive interview on child well-being indicators and their needs as foster parents or care providers.
Early results show that:
- Nearly 40% of school-aged children in the census were placed in special education with an individualized educational plan.
- 61% of all children had at least one disability.
- Children between 6 and 11 years rarely had a voice in decisions about their care
- Children showed the most needs for mental health services.
- Adult care providers were least satisfied with the educational help provided to children.
- 79% were part of a sibling group.
- Foster parents rated the importance of visits to biological parents as high, but their comfort with such visits as low.
Students conducting the census learned a great deal about foster care. Results of the census are being used to improve the out-of-home care system and integrated into the Child and Family Service Review and Program Improvement Plan.
For more results, visit our Results page.
KENTUCKY FOSTER CARE CENSUS CO-DIRECTORS:
Ruth Huebner, Ph.D.
Child Welfare Researcher
Cabinet for Families and Children
Bonnie Hommrich
Principle Assistant to the Secretary
Cabinet for Families and Children
Donna Harmon
Director
Eastern Kentucky University Training Resource Center
Click on the logos below to obtain Site Contact information for the corresponding University.
