ABSTRACT
Family foster care, a phenomenon with ancient origins, continues to affect the lives of millions of children, youths, and their families. Following a review of its evolution, this chapter examines contemporary foster care in the United States within the context of the family-centered orientation to child welfare practice presented in Chapter 3. The major areas to be covered in this chapter are (1) evolution, defi nition, and direction of family foster care; (2) children and youths in family foster care; (3) professionalization of foster parents; and (4) effectiveness of services. The chapter will conclude with consideration of the current status of family foster care. Content pertaining to family reunifi cation and kinship care will be covered in the next chapter and residential treatment will be discussed in Chapter 12 (Intensive Treatment Services).
