Child Maltreatment in Foster Care

Library: Foster Care

Child Maltreatment in Foster Care

Document Author: Mary I. Benedict, MSW, DrPH
Contact: The Johns Hopkins University, Department of Maternal and Child Health
Date Posted: 4/99

The July 1996 issue of "Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal" includes an article on "The Reported Health and Functioning of Children Maltreated While in Family Foster Care." This is a report of a study of the characteristics, health, and functioning of 78 children with substantiated maltreatment reports in an urban foster care program compared with a random sample of 229 nonmaltreated children in foster care. Health, development, and functioning problems were reported in the records for a large number of all of the children, but those who were sexually abused while in care were significantly more likely to be in a nonkinship placement and to have mental health and development problems.

The authors suggest preventive steps such as:
closer screening with other members of the foster family (in addition to the foster parents who have already been screened); close home monitoring; and, to minimize maltreatment by another foster child, more particular assessment in terms of which children are placed together in a home.

Reprints are available from: Mary I. Benedict, MSW, DrPH,
The Johns Hopkins University,
Department of Maternal and Child Health,
624 North Broadway,
Baltimore, MD 21205-1999.

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