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Mental and Behavioral Health Needs of Children in Foster Care [1]

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Date: 2023-07

Children's and teens’ well-being is rooted in the well-being of their families. By definition, children and teens are in foster care because of significant family disruptions. Children and teens often enter foster care without a model for normal, healthy family relationships. They will need to learn some of the basic principles of being part of a healthy family: healthy communication, cooperation, problem-solving, respect for others and their property, etc. Foster parents need to provide the structures, routines, patience, flexibility, communication, role-modeling, consistency, and nurturance that enables children and teens to develop the skills they need to function as part of a healthy family. Foster care is intended to allow children to develop a sense of belonging in a new, healthy family environment while maintaining their connections to their family of origin, unless that is unsafe for the child or teen.

It is also important to recognize that almost all families, even those who have had their children and teens removed, have strengths. Despite their current situation, there might have been times when these families provided a very appropriate environment for their children or teens. Identifying those times and what worked, and what strengths the families possess, is important in helping families heal and achieving safe reunification with their children and teens.

Likewise, it is important to recognize that foster and kinship families have both strengths and needs. Building on strengths and helping families with their needs will support them so that they can provide good care for the children and teens who are in their care.

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[1] Url: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/foster-care/mental-and-behavioral-health-needs-of-children-in-foster-care/

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