We examined child, family and system-related factors associated with reunification across African... more We examined child, family and system-related factors associated with reunification across African American, Latino, Asian and White families involved in the child welfare system in one large and ethnically diverse California County. Data were obtained from extensive reviews of child welfare case records and multivariate analysis was performed on a wide array of variables not found in previous research. Results indicated that when taking other factors into account, ethnicity was not a strong predictor of reunification. Factors that predicted reunification varied across ethnic groups, with none of the predictors being significant for the Asian group. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.
This review of promising practices for meeting the multiple needs of low-income families in pover... more This review of promising practices for meeting the multiple needs of low-income families in poverty neighborhoods reveals four main themes: (1) The challenges facing low-income families living in poverty neighborhoods are not discrete-but are multidimensional; (2) Integrated family and neighborhood strengthening practices, such as the Making Connections (MC) Initiative (funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation), and the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), represent innovative strategies to address the multifaceted issues facing low-income families living in poverty neighborhoods; (3) The organizational structure, challenges and successes of the MC and HCZ provide insight into the nature of integrated family and neighborhood approaches; (4) A framework for the design of an integrated family and neighborhood program includes a focus on internal organizational processes, neighborhood processes, and external processes. This framework can assist social service agencies in moving their services toward a more integrated family and neighborhood approach.
There exists a little research on children of color in the child welfare system (CWS) and most of... more There exists a little research on children of color in the child welfare system (CWS) and most of what we know focuses on provision of child welfare services and system-related outcomes rather than the processes that lead to these outcomes-how families and children of color become and stay involved. Rather than one primary cause, there appear to be numerous interrelated factors associated with the disproportionate rates of involvement of children of color in the CWS. This review focuses on four areas: (1) parent and familyrelated risk factors and CWS involvement; (2) social factors related to poverty, neighborhood effects and other community-related predictors of children of color entering and staying in the CWS; (3) race and class biases in initial reporting and subsequent processing of children in the CWS, and (4) the impact of recent child welfare policy initiatives on children of color. Limitations of the current body of literature on children of color in the CWS are presented as well as emerging themes and areas for further inquiry. ᮊ
Using data from the larger Pathways to College study, this article presents two analyses explorin... more Using data from the larger Pathways to College study, this article presents two analyses exploring the potentially beneficial role of independent living programs (ILPs) for foster youth. First, a comparative analysis using survey data describes characteristics of former foster youth who were enrolled in an ILP while in foster care (N=81) compared to those who were not (N=113). Second, an ethnographic analysis using interview data with ILP coordinators in nine California counties describes typical and unique ILP services, as well as the impact of recent federal policy changes on ILPs. Survey results indicated that ILP participants were more likely to be African American or Mexican American/other Latino, and while in foster care, they tended to be placed in nonrelative placements, had more out-of-home placements, and were more likely than non-ILP participants to have been taught a number of independent living skills. Ethnographic results indicated that ILP services typically use an instructional model that focuses on teaching discrete and concrete skills considered to be associated with self-sufficiency, and recent legislation has increased funding and flexibility in ILP services. Implications and recommendations for ILPs are discussed. D
We examined child, family and system-related factors associated with reunification across African... more We examined child, family and system-related factors associated with reunification across African American, Latino, Asian and White families involved in the child welfare system in one large and ethnically diverse California County. Data were obtained from extensive reviews of child welfare case records and multivariate analysis was performed on a wide array of variables not found in previous research. Results indicated that when taking other factors into account, ethnicity was not a strong predictor of reunification. Factors that predicted reunification varied across ethnic groups, with none of the predictors being significant for the Asian group. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.
This review of promising practices for meeting the multiple needs of low-income families in pover... more This review of promising practices for meeting the multiple needs of low-income families in poverty neighborhoods reveals four main themes: (1) The challenges facing low-income families living in poverty neighborhoods are not discrete-but are multidimensional; (2) Integrated family and neighborhood strengthening practices, such as the Making Connections (MC) Initiative (funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation), and the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), represent innovative strategies to address the multifaceted issues facing low-income families living in poverty neighborhoods; (3) The organizational structure, challenges and successes of the MC and HCZ provide insight into the nature of integrated family and neighborhood approaches; (4) A framework for the design of an integrated family and neighborhood program includes a focus on internal organizational processes, neighborhood processes, and external processes. This framework can assist social service agencies in moving their services toward a more integrated family and neighborhood approach.
There exists a little research on children of color in the child welfare system (CWS) and most of... more There exists a little research on children of color in the child welfare system (CWS) and most of what we know focuses on provision of child welfare services and system-related outcomes rather than the processes that lead to these outcomes-how families and children of color become and stay involved. Rather than one primary cause, there appear to be numerous interrelated factors associated with the disproportionate rates of involvement of children of color in the CWS. This review focuses on four areas: (1) parent and familyrelated risk factors and CWS involvement; (2) social factors related to poverty, neighborhood effects and other community-related predictors of children of color entering and staying in the CWS; (3) race and class biases in initial reporting and subsequent processing of children in the CWS, and (4) the impact of recent child welfare policy initiatives on children of color. Limitations of the current body of literature on children of color in the CWS are presented as well as emerging themes and areas for further inquiry. ᮊ
Using data from the larger Pathways to College study, this article presents two analyses explorin... more Using data from the larger Pathways to College study, this article presents two analyses exploring the potentially beneficial role of independent living programs (ILPs) for foster youth. First, a comparative analysis using survey data describes characteristics of former foster youth who were enrolled in an ILP while in foster care (N=81) compared to those who were not (N=113). Second, an ethnographic analysis using interview data with ILP coordinators in nine California counties describes typical and unique ILP services, as well as the impact of recent federal policy changes on ILPs. Survey results indicated that ILP participants were more likely to be African American or Mexican American/other Latino, and while in foster care, they tended to be placed in nonrelative placements, had more out-of-home placements, and were more likely than non-ILP participants to have been taught a number of independent living skills. Ethnographic results indicated that ILP services typically use an instructional model that focuses on teaching discrete and concrete skills considered to be associated with self-sufficiency, and recent legislation has increased funding and flexibility in ILP services. Implications and recommendations for ILPs are discussed. D
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Papers by Kathy Lemon