Contact with Foster Care and the Juvenile Delinquency Court: A Prospective Examination from Birth through Age 18

Andrea Lane Eastman · Keunhye Park · Denise C. Herz · Carly B. Dierkhising · Jacquelyn McCroskey · Lillie Guo

16 citations0/0 files storedChild and Adolescent Social Work Journal

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Child Welfare and Adoption Crime Patterns and Interventions Legal and Social Justice Studies

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Research has demonstrated a link between out-of-home foster care and subsequent juvenile justice involvement. Understanding factors that may contribute to dual system involvement for young people who entered foster care is essential for disrupting this relationship. Method We used population-based linked administrative records to examine the prevalence of juvenile delinquency court petitions among individuals placed in out-of-home foster care in Los Angeles County from birth to age 18. By integrating records from child welfare and probation, this analysis of individuals born between 1998 and 2001 and who lived in the county’s out-of-home foster care system (N = 29,434) showed that 2,554 (8.7%) had encountered a juvenile delinquency court petition prior to turning 18. Results Regression results showed an increased rate of dual system involvement among young people in foster care who experienced unstable living conditions, periods of absence from care, commercial sexual exploitation, or group homes. Instability in living situations (staying in care for more than a year, with three or more homes or placements; RR = 1.31; CI = 1.16, 1.48) and history of group home care (RR = 1.43; CI = 1.25, 1.64) were significantly associated with a heightened rate of dual system involvement. As shown in the gender-stratified models, the magnitude of associations between dual system involvement and foster care experiences differed by gender. Discussion The current study aligns with prior studies showing a relationship between residential instability and group homes to subsequent delinquency court involvement. Findings set a baseline so future work can explore if policies aiming to reduce reliance on group care are associated with changes in the likelihood of dual system involvement.

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2014The essence of innocence: Consequences of dehumanizing Black children.2004Child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency: Investigating the role of placement and placement instability 2010The Causal Impact of Childhood-Limited Maltreatment and Adolescent Maltreatment on Early Adult Adjustment 2008Juvenile delinquency in child welfare: Investigating group home effects 2000Behavior Problems, Academic Skill Delays and School Failure Among School-Aged Children in Foster Care: Their Relationship to Placement Characteristics 2014Cumulative Risks of Foster Care Placement by Age 18 for U.S. Children, 2000–2011 2007Maltreatment and delinquency: Investigating child welfare bias in juvenile justice processing 2009Balancing permanency and stability for youth in foster care

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