A Follow-up Study of Foster Children in Permanent Placements

This study evaluates a demonstration project to find permanent homes for children in foster care. More children were placed in homes with prospects for permanence by the project than by regular agency services, and the placements tended to be stable. Children scoring highest on well-being measures were younger, were seen as permanently entrenched in their home, and got along well there initially. Parents of these children felt prepared for the child's arrival, knew enough about his past, and felt the past had not caused problems. Whether a child was reunited with parents, adopted, or in foster care made little difference to his well-being.