ABSTRACT
Permanent and Formal Connections: Mentors, Community Services, and Connectedness: In this chapter, the authors describe theoretical models(i.e., attachment, social support, resilience, positive youth development, and mentoring) that have been or could be used to understand the development of permanent and formal connections for youth in or aging out of foster care. They review existing research on what relationships exist and how they might be promoted within child welfare programs, formal and informal mentoring programs, community-based programs, and educational/vocational programs. The authors conclude with important next steps for theory, research, and practice.
