Biological parents views of kinship foster care: A neglected perspective experience.
Item
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Title
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Biological parents views of kinship foster care: A neglected perspective experience.
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Identifier
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AAI9732920
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identifier
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9732920
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Creator
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Grant, Trevor Lennox.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Irwin Epstein
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Date
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1997
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Public and Social Welfare | Social Work | Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
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Abstract
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This dissertation is a study of the relatively new and unexplored foster care program in New York City known as kinship foster care--foster children living with approved biological extended relatives such as grandmothers and aunts. The study provides an overview of this new foster care phenomenon, and is designed to provide a descriptive and exploratory analysis of the perspectives of biological parents, whose children are placed in the kinship foster care program, due to allegations of child abuse and neglect.;Five core research questions were identified to be of primary importance in understanding the experiences and concerns of biological parents involved in the kinship foster care program. Interviews were conducted with thirty respondents, and four extensive, taped interviews were conducted to portray in-depth, the critical elements of biological parents' experiences with the child welfare agency and the kinship program.;Biological parents expressed mixed feelings about their experiences with the kinship program, and felt that the kinship program is taking children away from them and putting them with relatives. However, they generally had positive feelings about their children's placement with relatives. Almost all respondents felt that the agency has shown no interest in reuniting them with their children, and little or no efforts are being made by the agency and its workers to reunite parents with their children.;Parents suggested that keeping the nuclear family together should be the top priority of the child welfare agency, and the agency should provide services to keep the family unit intact. They also felt that they need reunification services such as housing, financial assistance, furniture ... in order to facilitate the return of their children. Finally, respondents felt that the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) should pay attention to the needs of biological parents, and should have resources available to address their problems. Findings from this original qualitative study and a profile of the biological parents are presented.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
