Project
Maintaining a Long-Term Commitment to Children in Care: Factors that Influence the Continued Capacity of Foster Parents Who Are Raising First Nations Children with FAS/FAE in Rural and Reserve Communities
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Kathy Jones, phone: 204- 985-4061, email: kathy@wrcfs.mb.ca
Publications: Jones, K. (Spring, 2004). Successfully Raising Resilient Foster Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome-What Works. Envision, The Manitoba Journal of Child Welfare. Downloaded from Envisionjournal.com.
Start/End Date: Spring 2001 - 2003
Location: Manitoba
Brief Description: A recent landmark study by Streissguth, Barr, Kogan, and Bookstein (1997) found that the best outcomes for children with FAS/FAE are achieved when they are maintained in stable, nurturing homes for the longest possible time. The ability of parents or alternative caregivers to provide long-term nurturing care to vulnerable children with FAS/FAE is jeopardized by the multiple challenges presented by the disability itself. The problem of sustaining a child with FAS/FAE can be more difficult on First Nations reserves where there may be a large number of children with FAS/FAE and relatively few resources to support their needs. The purpose of this study was to explore all of the personal, relational, and situational factors that influence the capacity of foster parents to be able to maintain a stable and nurturing environment for their foster children with FAS/FAE.
This study employed a qualitative, multiple case study methodology to look at the experiences of eight foster families living in rural or ‘on reserve’ environments. Within this unique social-cultural context, each participating foster family had lived with the same First Nations children with FAS/FAE for more than five years. Domains explored included; the needs of the child, the supports of the family, the supports of the extended family/kin, the supports of the school and community, the supports available through the child welfare system.
Results from the study suggest the need for a higher level of collaboration between foster parents and community supports. Further, the study found that a lack of specialized supports for children with FAS/FAE in rural or reserve environments created excess stress for foster families and their children with FAS/FAE. Excessive stress was especially noted among families raising adolescents.
This study offers direction for concerned child welfare authorities who are aiming to support long-term placements of children with FAS/FAE.
Time Frame: recent
Type of Project: research
Population Served: Rural and Reserve, Primarily Aboriginal children and Families
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