The Neglected Transition: Building a Relational Home for Children Entering Foster Care

by Monique B. Mitchell

Overview

On average, a quarter of a million children in the United States enter foster care every year. Most of these children are placed in non-kinship homes; that is, with people who are complete strangers. In The Neglected Transition, child welfare researcher Monique B. Mitchell explores children's experiences of loss and ambiguity as they transition into foster care, as well as the questions children ask during this critical life transition. Specifically, the author uses child-centered research, practical examples, and healing suggestions to create a foundation from which a relational home can be built. Drawing from the compelling stories of children, Mitchell invites readers to join children on their journey as they transition into the foster care system and courageously share their experiences of loss, ambiguity, fear, and hope.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199371174
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/31/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Monique B. Mitchell, PhD, is passionate about illuminating and enhancing the lived experience of children and youth in foster care. Her research focuses on life transitions, meaning-making, grief and loss, ambiguity, and youth empowerment. Her specific expertise involves consulting with children, youth, and invested parties in the child welfare system to inform policy and practice and to develop resources and curricula that serve youth in foster care.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Why? What? Where? Who? How? When?
1. WHY Do I Have to Leave?
2. WHAT Is Foster Care?
3. WHERE Are You Taking Me?
4. WHO Are These People?
5. How About ME?
6. WHEN Can I Go Home?
7. Building a Relational Home for Children's Experiences of Loss, Ambiguity, and Trauma in Foster Care
Appendix A: A Value Model of C.A.R.E.: A Blueprint for Building a Relational Home
Appendix B: A Phenomenological Journey: Philosophical and Methodological Considerations
Appendix C: The Neglected Transition: C.A.R.E Checklist
Appendix D: Healing Affirmations for Children and Youth in Foster Care

Editorial Reviews

"In all, this book is a welcome contribution to document the experience of likely millions of foster children who otherwise have not been given much of a voice in contemporary discourse. Anyone who wishes to understand the experience of foster youth better will be well served by reading this book. Once they do, they may find a great deal of compassion for the children and families who navigate this system, and an urge to correct and reform a system that imposes injustice upon already traumatized and marginalized families and individuals who are really only in need of greater support." — Omega—Journal of Death and Dying

From the Publisher