Child Welfare History Foster Care to Adoption History.

Child Welfare Child Welfare HistoryHistory

Foster Care to Foster Care to Adoption HistoryAdoption History

Tensions Throughout Child Tensions Throughout Child Welfare HistoryWelfare History

These tensions include:These tensions include:

parents’ rights vs children’s needsparents’ rights vs children’s needs saving children/youth vs supporting saving children/youth vs supporting

families families federal vs state vs local responsibilityfederal vs state vs local responsibility public vs voluntary financing and public vs voluntary financing and

service provisionservice provision

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History

developmental vs protective servicesdevelopmental vs protective services

in-home vs foster family vs institutional in-home vs foster family vs institutional carecare

appropriate boundaries between the child appropriate boundaries between the child welfare, family service, juvenile justice, welfare, family service, juvenile justice, mental health, domestic violence, mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental retardation substance abuse and mental retardation systemssystems


Individualized modes of interventions vs Individualized modes of interventions vs uniformuniform standards and treatment, i.e., standards and treatment, i.e., evidence based practicesevidence based practices

Formal specialized professional services Formal specialized professional services vs informal, natural helping networksvs informal, natural helping networks

social costs vs benefits of providing social costs vs benefits of providing varying levels of carevarying levels of care


All of these issues appear and reappear All of these issues appear and reappear in the major historical documents on in the major historical documents on the American child welfare system.the American child welfare system.

The one theme that never disappears is The one theme that never disappears is the search for a panacea, a solution to the search for a panacea, a solution to the problems of children and youth the problems of children and youth whose parents are unable to provide whose parents are unable to provide adequate care. adequate care.

Child Welfare History 17Child Welfare History 17thth & 18 & 18thth CenturiesCenturies

Early American settlers were preoccupied with issues Early American settlers were preoccupied with issues of freedom and survival for themselves and their new of freedom and survival for themselves and their new country. country.

The demands of exploring, settling, and cultivating The demands of exploring, settling, and cultivating vast expanses of land were enormous, and because of vast expanses of land were enormous, and because of the small size of the population, contributing members the small size of the population, contributing members of society were at a premium. of society were at a premium.

The family was the basic economic unit, and all The family was the basic economic unit, and all members were expected to contribute to the work of members were expected to contribute to the work of the household.the household.


The concept of childhood, as it is currently The concept of childhood, as it is currently understood, was unknown except for very understood, was unknown except for very young children. young children.

Although there was a high birthrate, Although there was a high birthrate, approximately two-thirds of all children died approximately two-thirds of all children died before the age of four. Those who lived past before the age of four. Those who lived past this age were expected to start contributing this age were expected to start contributing labor as soon as possible by helping with labor as soon as possible by helping with household and farming chores, caring for household and farming chores, caring for younger siblings, and so forth.younger siblings, and so forth.


Children moved quickly from infant Children moved quickly from infant status to serving essential economic status to serving essential economic functions for their families. functions for their families.

Children were perceived as a scarce and Children were perceived as a scarce and valued resource for the nation, but little valued resource for the nation, but little attention was paid to individual attention was paid to individual differences or needs, and the concept of differences or needs, and the concept of children’s rights was nonexistent. children’s rights was nonexistent.


Although there was no child welfare Although there was no child welfare system as such in those early days, system as such in those early days, two groups of children were two groups of children were presumed to require attention from presumed to require attention from the public authorities, one viewed as the public authorities, one viewed as deserving, one as not deserving deserving, one as not deserving

orphansorphans children of pauperschildren of paupers

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare HistoryBecause of the high maternal mortality rates and high adult Because of the high maternal mortality rates and high adult male death rates caused by the vicissitudes of life in the new male death rates caused by the vicissitudes of life in the new world, large numbers of children were orphaned at a relatively world, large numbers of children were orphaned at a relatively young age and required special provisions for their care. young age and required special provisions for their care.

Children of paupers were also assumed to require special care Children of paupers were also assumed to require special care because of the high value placed on work and self-sufficiency because of the high value placed on work and self-sufficiency and the concomitant fear that these children would acquire and the concomitant fear that these children would acquire the “bad habits” of their parents if they were not taught a skill the “bad habits” of their parents if they were not taught a skill and good working habits at an early age. and good working habits at an early age.

Parents who could not provide adequately for their children Parents who could not provide adequately for their children were deprived of the right to plan for their children and were were deprived of the right to plan for their children and were socially condemned. socially condemned.


Children and dependent Children and dependent adults were treated adults were treated alike and were generally handled in one of alike and were generally handled in one of four ways:four ways:

1. Outdoor relief, a public assistance program 1. Outdoor relief, a public assistance program for poor families and children consisting of a for poor families and children consisting of a meager dole paid by the local community to meager dole paid by the local community to maintain families in their own homesmaintain families in their own homes

2. Farming-out, a system whereby individuals 2. Farming-out, a system whereby individuals or groups of paupers were auctioned off to or groups of paupers were auctioned off to citizens who agreed to maintain the paupers citizens who agreed to maintain the paupers in their homes for a contracted feein their homes for a contracted fee


3. Almshouses or poorhouses established 3. Almshouses or poorhouses established and administered by public authorities in and administered by public authorities in large urban areas (or the care of destitute large urban areas (or the care of destitute children and adultschildren and adults

4. Indenture, a plan for apprenticing 4. Indenture, a plan for apprenticing children to households where they would children to households where they would be cared for and taught a trade, in return be cared for and taught a trade, in return for which they owed loyalty, obedience, and for which they owed loyalty, obedience, and labor until the costs of their rearing had labor until the costs of their rearing had been worked off.been worked off.

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History In addition to these provisions under the public In addition to these provisions under the public

authorities, dependent children were cared for by a authorities, dependent children were cared for by a range of informal provisions arranged through range of informal provisions arranged through relatives, neighbors, or church officials. relatives, neighbors, or church officials.

A few private institutions for orphans were also A few private institutions for orphans were also established during this early colonial period. The first established during this early colonial period. The first such orphanage in the United States was the Ursuline such orphanage in the United States was the Ursuline Convent, founded in New Orleans in 1727 under the Convent, founded in New Orleans in 1727 under the auspices of Louis XV of France. auspices of Louis XV of France.

Prior to 1800 most dependent children were cared for Prior to 1800 most dependent children were cared for in almshouses and/or by indenture until the age of in almshouses and/or by indenture until the age of eight or nine, and then they were indentured until they eight or nine, and then they were indentured until they reached majority.reached majority.

Child Welfare HistoryChild Welfare History Thus, the social provisions for dependent Thus, the social provisions for dependent

children during the first two centuries of children during the first two centuries of AmericanAmerican history can be characterized as meager history can be characterized as meager arrangements made on a reluctant, begrudging arrangements made on a reluctant, begrudging basis to guarantee a minimal level of subsistence. basis to guarantee a minimal level of subsistence.

The arrangements were designed to insure that The arrangements were designed to insure that chil dren were taught the values of chil dren were taught the values of industriousness and hard work and received a industriousness and hard work and received a strict religious upbringing. Provisions were made strict religious upbringing. Provisions were made at the lowest cost possible for the local at the lowest cost possible for the local community, in part because of the widespread community, in part because of the widespread concern that indolence and depravity not be concern that indolence and depravity not be rewarded.rewarded.


Parents who were unable to provide for their Parents who were unable to provide for their children were thought to have abrogated their children were thought to have abrogated their parental rights, and children were perceived parental rights, and children were perceived primarily as property that could be disposed of primarily as property that could be disposed of according to the will of their owners—parents, according to the will of their owners—parents, masters, and/or public authorities who assumed masters, and/or public authorities who assumed the costs of their care. the costs of their care.

The goal was to make provisions for dependent The goal was to make provisions for dependent children that would best serve the interests of children that would best serve the interests of the community, not the individual child.the community, not the individual child.

Nineteenth CenturyNineteenth Century Massive social changes occurred in the United Massive social changes occurred in the United

States during the nineteenth century, all of States during the nineteenth century, all of which influenced the nature of provisions for which influenced the nature of provisions for dependent children. The importation of large dependent children. The importation of large numbers of slaves and the eventual abolition of numbers of slaves and the eventual abolition of slavery first reduced the number of requests for slavery first reduced the number of requests for indentured white children and later created indentured white children and later created opposition to a form of care for white children opposition to a form of care for white children that was no longer permitted for blacks. that was no longer permitted for blacks.

The emergence of a bourgeois class of families in The emergence of a bourgeois class of families in which the labor of children and wives was not which the labor of children and wives was not required at home permitted upper-income required at home permitted upper-income citizens to turn their attention to the educational citizens to turn their attention to the educational and developmental needs of their own children and developmental needs of their own children as well as the orphaned, poor, and delinquent.as well as the orphaned, poor, and delinquent.

Nineteenth CenturyNineteenth Century

The large-scale economic growth of the country The large-scale economic growth of the country after the Civil War helped to expand the tax base after the Civil War helped to expand the tax base and to free funds for the development of private and to free funds for the development of private philanthropies aimed at improving the lives of the philanthropies aimed at improving the lives of the poor. The massive wave of immigrants from poor. The massive wave of immigrants from countries other than England created a large pool countries other than England created a large pool of needy children, primarily Catholic and Jewish, of needy children, primarily Catholic and Jewish, from diverse cultural backgrounds. from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Finally, the Industrial Revolution changed the Finally, the Industrial Revolution changed the entire economic and social fabric of the nation. entire economic and social fabric of the nation. New industry required different, more dangerous New industry required different, more dangerous types of labor from parents and youth and created types of labor from parents and youth and created a new set of environmental hazards and problems a new set of environmental hazards and problems for low-income families.for low-income families.

Rise of InstitutionsRise of Institutions

Perhaps the most significant change in the Perhaps the most significant change in the pattern of care for dependent children during pattern of care for dependent children during the early nineteenth century was the dramatic the early nineteenth century was the dramatic increase in the number of orphanages, increase in the number of orphanages, especially during the I830s. especially during the I830s.

These facilities were established under public, These facilities were established under public, voluntary, and sectarian auspices and were voluntary, and sectarian auspices and were designed to care for children whose parents designed to care for children whose parents were unable to provide adequately for them, as were unable to provide adequately for them, as well as for true orphans.well as for true orphans.

Rise of InstitutionsRise of Institutions A major expansion in almshouse care occurred in A major expansion in almshouse care occurred in

the years succeeding the publication of these the years succeeding the publication of these reports. But what was not foreseen by the early reports. But what was not foreseen by the early advocates of the use of almshouses were the advocates of the use of almshouses were the physical and social risks to children posed by physical and social risks to children posed by housing them with all classes of dependent adults. housing them with all classes of dependent adults. Although facilities in some of the larger cities Although facilities in some of the larger cities established separate quarters for children, most established separate quarters for children, most were mixed almshouses caring for young children, were mixed almshouses caring for young children, “derelicts,” the insane, the sick, the blind, the “derelicts,” the insane, the sick, the blind, the deaf, the retarded, the delinquent, and the poor deaf, the retarded, the delinquent, and the poor alike.alike.

By mid-century, investigations of the living By mid-century, investigations of the living conditions of children in poorhouses had started, conditions of children in poorhouses had started, creating strong pressure for the development of creating strong pressure for the development of alternative methods of care.alternative methods of care.


State after state issued similar reports, State after state issued similar reports, characterizing almshouses as symbols of characterizing almshouses as symbols of human wretchedness and political corruption human wretchedness and political corruption and calling for special provisions for the care of and calling for special provisions for the care of young children in orphanages under public or young children in orphanages under public or private auspices.private auspices.

But reformBut reform came slowly, in part because public came slowly, in part because public funds had been invested in the poorhouses and funds had been invested in the poorhouses and in part because there were no readily available in part because there were no readily available alternatives for the large number of children alternatives for the large number of children housed in these facilities. housed in these facilities.


Black dependent children who were not sold as slaves Black dependent children who were not sold as slaves were cared for primarily in the local almshouses. They were cared for primarily in the local almshouses. They were explicitly excluded from most of the private were explicitly excluded from most of the private orphanages established prior to the Civil War. Conse orphanages established prior to the Civil War. Conse quently, several separate facilities for black children quently, several separate facilities for black children were founded during this period, the first of which was were founded during this period, the first of which was the Philadelphia Association for the Care of Colored the Philadelphia Association for the Care of Colored Children established by the Society of Friends in 1822. Children established by the Society of Friends in 1822.

To insure the survival of these facilities, their founders To insure the survival of these facilities, their founders attempted to separate the orphanages from the attempted to separate the orphanages from the abolitionist movement, with which they were identified. abolitionist movement, with which they were identified. However, the shelter in Philadelphia was burned by a However, the shelter in Philadelphia was burned by a white mob in 1838 and the Colored Orphan Asylum in white mob in 1838 and the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York was set on fire during the Draft Riot of 1863. New York was set on fire during the Draft Riot of 1863.

The Beginnings of Foster CareThe Beginnings of Foster Care With the recognition of the condition of children With the recognition of the condition of children

cared for in cared for in mixed mixed almshouses, the stage was set almshouses, the stage was set for a number of reform efforts. One such effort for a number of reform efforts. One such effort began in 1853 with the founding of the Children’s began in 1853 with the founding of the Children’s Aid Society in New York by Charles Loring Brace. Aid Society in New York by Charles Loring Brace. By the end of the century, Children’s Aid By the end of the century, Children’s Aid Societies had been established in most of the Societies had been established in most of the other major eastern cities.other major eastern cities.

Brace was strongly committed to the idea that Brace was strongly committed to the idea that the best way to save poor children fromthe best way to save poor children from the evils the evils of urban life was to place them in Christian of urban life was to place them in Christian homes in the country, where they would receive a homes in the country, where they would receive a

solid moral training and learn good work habits.solid moral training and learn good work habits.

Orphan TrainsOrphan Trains

Between 1854 and 1929 100,000-Between 1854 and 1929 100,000-200,000 children were placed in 200,000 children were placed in new families via the Orphan Trains.new families via the Orphan Trains.

http://www.orphantraindepot.com

•Children were taken in small groups of 10 to 40, under the supervision of at least one adult, and traveled on trains to selected stops along the way, where they were taken by families in that area.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/orphan/teachers.html

The Beginnings of Foster CareThe Beginnings of Foster Care

Consequently, Loring Brace recruited large numbers of Consequently, Loring Brace recruited large numbers of free foster homes in the Midwest and upper New York free foster homes in the Midwest and upper New York State and sent trainloads of children to these localities State and sent trainloads of children to these localities By 1879 the Children’s Aid Society in New York City had By 1879 the Children’s Aid Society in New York City had sent 40,000 homeless destitute children to homes in the sent 40,000 homeless destitute children to homes in the countrycountry

A somewhat parallel development was the establishment A somewhat parallel development was the establishment of the Children’s Home Society movement. These of the Children’s Home Society movement. These societies were statewide child-placing agencies under societies were statewide child-placing agencies under Protestant auspices, also designed to provide free foster Protestant auspices, also designed to provide free foster homes for dependent children. The first such society was homes for dependent children. The first such society was established in Illinois in 1883. By 1916 there were thirty-established in Illinois in 1883. By 1916 there were thirty-six Children’s Home Societies located primarily in six Children’s Home Societies located primarily in Midwestern and southern states .Midwestern and southern states .

The Expansion of ServicesThe Expansion of Services

Until the last quarter of the nineteenth Until the last quarter of the nineteenth century state intervention in a child’s life century state intervention in a child’s life occurred, for the most part, only when the occurred, for the most part, only when the child threatened the social order. Dominant child threatened the social order. Dominant members of society feared that dependent members of society feared that dependent children would grow up without the moral children would grow up without the moral guidance and education necessary to enable guidance and education necessary to enable them to become productive members of them to become productive members of society. Children violating the law posed not society. Children violating the law posed not only an immediate threat but also the fear only an immediate threat but also the fear that, without intervention, they would grow that, without intervention, they would grow up to be adult criminals.up to be adult criminals.


During the latter part of the last century During the latter part of the last century the focus of concern began to change. the focus of concern began to change. Voluntary organizations founded during Voluntary organizations founded during this period recognized that families had this period recognized that families had an obligation to provide for their an obligation to provide for their children’s basic needs. If they did not, it children’s basic needs. If they did not, it was argued, society had the right and was argued, society had the right and obligation to intervene. Thus, the obligation to intervene. Thus, the concept of minimal social standards for concept of minimal social standards for child rearing was introduced.child rearing was introduced.


The founding of the New York Society The founding of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1874 signaled the beginning of this in 1874 signaled the beginning of this broader concept of societal intervention broader concept of societal intervention on the child’s behalf. Similar societies on the child’s behalf. Similar societies were quickly established in other areas were quickly established in other areas of the country, and by 1900 there were of the country, and by 1900 there were more than 250 such agencies the New more than 250 such agencies the New York society was established in the wake York society was established in the wake of the notorious case of “little Mary of the notorious case of “little Mary Ellen”.Ellen”.


A friendly visitor, named Etta Wheeler A friendly visitor, named Etta Wheeler from the child’s neighborhood was from the child’s neighborhood was horrified by the abusive treatment the horrified by the abusive treatment the child had received from her caretaker child had received from her caretaker and sought help from several child and sought help from several child welfare institutions to no avail. Finally welfare institutions to no avail. Finally she turned to Henry Bergh, president of she turned to Henry Bergh, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who promptly brought the to Animals, who promptly brought the case to court, requesting that the child case to court, requesting that the child be removed from her caretaker be removed from her caretaker immediately.immediately.

Photo of Mary Ellen WilsonPhoto of Mary Ellen Wilson


Newspaper accounts of the early meetings Newspaper accounts of the early meetings of the society indicate that the founders saw of the society indicate that the founders saw their primary function as prosecuting their primary function as prosecuting parents, not providing direct services to parents, not providing direct services to parents or children; in fact, the society was parents or children; in fact, the society was denied tax-exempt status by the State of denied tax-exempt status by the State of New York in 1900 because its primary New York in 1900 because its primary purpose was defined as law enforcement, purpose was defined as law enforcement, not the administration of charity. However, not the administration of charity. However, this agency as well as the other early child this agency as well as the other early child protection societies quickly turned their protection societies quickly turned their interests to all forms of child neglect and interests to all forms of child neglect and exploitation, not confining their activities exploitation, not confining their activities merely to the prevention of physical abuse merely to the prevention of physical abuse of children in their own homes.of children in their own homes.


The establishment of the Charity The establishment of the Charity Organization Society movement, Organization Society movement, starting in 1877, also contributed starting in 1877, also contributed to the expansion of services to to the expansion of services to children. They were opposed to children. They were opposed to monetary giving and to any public monetary giving and to any public sector involvement in the relief of sector involvement in the relief of destitution; government was not to destitution; government was not to be trusted to provide a “dole,” be trusted to provide a “dole,” which would encourage laziness which would encourage laziness and moral decay.and moral decay.

The Expansion of ServicesThe Expansion of Services In order to accomplish this mission, the In order to accomplish this mission, the

societies enlisted the aid of “friendly societies enlisted the aid of “friendly visitors”—the forerunner of the modern visitors”—the forerunner of the modern social worker—whose responsibilities social worker—whose responsibilities were to seek out the poor, investigate were to seek out the poor, investigate their need, and certify them as worthy their need, and certify them as worthy for private help. They were to provide a for private help. They were to provide a role model, advice, and moral role model, advice, and moral instruction to the poor in order that they instruction to the poor in order that they could rid themselves of poverty. These could rid themselves of poverty. These ideas had a profound influence on the ideas had a profound influence on the orientation of the early social workers in orientation of the early social workers in the family service field.the family service field.


However, what the friendly visitors However, what the friendly visitors discovered was that much poverty was the discovered was that much poverty was the result of societal forces far beyond the result of societal forces far beyond the individual’s control. Many children were individual’s control. Many children were destitute not because their parents were lazy destitute not because their parents were lazy or immoral, but because jobs were not or immoral, but because jobs were not available, breadwinners were incapacitated available, breadwinners were incapacitated by industrial accidents, or parents had died. by industrial accidents, or parents had died. While the friendly visitors continued to While the friendly visitors continued to minister to the poor on a case-by-case basis, minister to the poor on a case-by-case basis, their recognition of the social roots of poverty their recognition of the social roots of poverty converged with the philosophy underlying the converged with the philosophy underlying the establishment of the first settlement houses establishment of the first settlement houses at the end of the nineteenth century.at the end of the nineteenth century.


The settlement house movement was a middle-The settlement house movement was a middle-class movement designed to humanize the class movement designed to humanize the cities. It emphasized total life involvement, de cities. It emphasized total life involvement, de centralization, experimental modes of centralization, experimental modes of intervention, and learning by doing. Their intervention, and learning by doing. Their programs included “developmental” services programs included “developmental” services such as language classes, day-care centers, such as language classes, day-care centers, playgrounds, family life education, and so playgrounds, family life education, and so forth. Convinced of the worth of the individuals forth. Convinced of the worth of the individuals and immigrant groups they served and the and immigrant groups they served and the importance of cultural pluralism in America, importance of cultural pluralism in America, they saw the causes of many social problems in they saw the causes of many social problems in the environment and sought regulations to the environment and sought regulations to improve them.improve them.

2020thth Century Time Line Century Time Line

1909 – First White House Conference on 1909 – First White House Conference on ChildrenChildren

1912 – Creation of US Children’s Bureau1912 – Creation of US Children’s Bureau 1935 - Social Security Act, Title IV, ADC; 1935 - Social Security Act, Title IV, ADC;

and Title V, Child Welfare Services and Title V, Child Welfare Services ProgramProgram

1961 – Social Security Amendment, AFDC – 1961 – Social Security Amendment, AFDC – Foster CareFoster Care

1962 – Social Security Amendment (75%-1962 – Social Security Amendment (75%-25% match for funding social services for 25% match for funding social services for current, former, and potential welfare current, former, and potential welfare recipients)recipients)

1967 – Social Security Amendments1967 – Social Security Amendments Title IVB (Child Welfare Services Program, Title IVB (Child Welfare Services Program,

originally authorized under Title V)originally authorized under Title V)

2020thth Century Time Line Century Time Line

1974 – Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 1974 – Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, P.L. 93-247 (Amended in 1978, 1984, Act, P.L. 93-247 (Amended in 1978, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2003)1988, 1992, 1996, 2003)

1975 – Title XX of the Social Security Act 1975 – Title XX of the Social Security Act

1978 – Indian Child Welfare Act1978 – Indian Child Welfare Act

1980 – Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare 1980 – Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act, P.L. 96-272 (Title IVE)Act, P.L. 96-272 (Title IVE)

1993 - Family Preservation and Support 1993 - Family Preservation and Support Services ProgramServices Program

2020thth to 21 to 21stst Century Time Line Century Time Line

1994 – Multiethnic Placement Act1994 – Multiethnic Placement Act

1996 - Personal Responsibility and Work 1996 - Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Act , P.L. 104-193Opportunities Act , P.L. 104-193

1997 – Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), 1997 – Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), P.L. 105-89P.L. 105-89

1999 – Chaffee Foster Care Independence Act1999 – Chaffee Foster Care Independence Act

2000 – Child Abuse Prevention and 2000 – Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement ActEnforcement Act

2001 – Promoting Safe and Stable Families 2001 – Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendment Amendment

2121stst Century Themes Century Themes SafetySafety Permanency Goal SettingPermanency Goal Setting Well-BeingWell-Being CFSR Reviews in StatesCFSR Reviews in States Foster Parents Adopting ChildrenFoster Parents Adopting Children Adoption IncentivesAdoption Incentives Adoption OpportunitiesAdoption Opportunities Adoption OpennessAdoption Openness Youth PermanencyYouth Permanency Cultural CompetencyCultural Competency Family Based ServicesFamily Based Services Community Based ServicesCommunity Based Services

Array of Children, Youth Array of Children, Youth and Family Servicesand Family Services

In Home ServicesIn Home Services Out-of-Home ServicesOut-of-Home Services Child Welfare ServicesChild Welfare Services

In Home ServicesIn Home Services

Services designed to ensure that children Services designed to ensure that children and youth remain safe in their home and and youth remain safe in their home and prevent them from entering the foster prevent them from entering the foster care system: Services to preserve familiescare system: Services to preserve families

Family Support/Preservation Services: Family Support/Preservation Services: counseling, parent skills training, counseling, parent skills training, substance abuse treatment, recreational substance abuse treatment, recreational services, linkages to community-based services, linkages to community-based resourcesresources

Out-of-Home ServicesOut-of-Home Services Driven by ASFA 1997 legislationDriven by ASFA 1997 legislation

Strong emphasis on safety, permanency, Strong emphasis on safety, permanency, and well-being, especially permanencyand well-being, especially permanency

Time limited with ASFA; 15 of last 22 Time limited with ASFA; 15 of last 22 months in placementmonths in placement

Reunify with family, find other permanent Reunify with family, find other permanent arrangement or terminate parental rights arrangement or terminate parental rights and free for adoptionand free for adoption

Trial and ErrorTrial and Error

Orphanages and Boarding schools

Tennessee Preparatory School for Dependent Children

Family Foster Care

Out-of-Home ServicesOut-of-Home Services Community-based services in family’s own Community-based services in family’s own

neighborhoodneighborhood

Least restrictive placement settingLeast restrictive placement setting

Frequent visitation to familyFrequent visitation to family

Intensive work with family, building on Intensive work with family, building on strengths and resourcesstrengths and resources

Respect for culture and traditions of the Respect for culture and traditions of the familyfamily

Out-of-Home ServicesOut-of-Home Services

Kinship Foster Care: informal and Kinship Foster Care: informal and formalformal

Family Foster Boarding HomesFamily Foster Boarding Homes Therapeutic Foster Boarding HomesTherapeutic Foster Boarding Homes Agency Operated Boarding Homes Agency Operated Boarding Homes

(SILP)(SILP) Group HomesGroup Homes DRC/RTC (campus programs)DRC/RTC (campus programs) RTFRTF

Child Welfare ServicesChild Welfare Services

Abuse and Neglect InvestigationsAbuse and Neglect Investigations Independent Living Services –Independent Living Services –

Chaffee ActChaffee Act AdoptionAdoption Legal ServicesLegal Services Parent and Children’s RightsParent and Children’s Rights Child Performer PermitsChild Performer Permits

Adoption History Time LineAdoption History Time LinePrior to 1851, adoption was an informal Prior to 1851, adoption was an informal processprocess

1851, Massachusetts passed the first 1851, Massachusetts passed the first modern adoption law, recognizing modern adoption law, recognizing adoption as a social and legal operation adoption as a social and legal operation based on based on child welfarechild welfare rather than adult rather than adult interests. Historians consider the interests. Historians consider the 1851 Adoption of Children Act1851 Adoption of Children Act an important an important turning point because it directed judges to turning point because it directed judges to ensure that adoption decrees were “fit and ensure that adoption decrees were “fit and proper.” How this determination was to be proper.” How this determination was to be made was left entirely to judicial discretion.made was left entirely to judicial discretion.

Adoption History Time LineAdoption History Time Line

1868, Massachusetts Board of 1868, Massachusetts Board of State Charities began paying for State Charities began paying for children to board in private children to board in private family homes: in 1869, an agent family homes: in 1869, an agent was appointed to visit children was appointed to visit children in their homes. This was the in their homes. This was the beginning of beginning of placing-outplacing-out, a , a movement to care for children in movement to care for children in families rather than institutions.families rather than institutions.


1872 1872 New York State Charities New York State Charities Aid Association was organized. Aid Association was organized. It was one of the first It was one of the first organizations in the country to organizations in the country to establish a specialized child-establish a specialized child-placement program, in 1898. By placement program, in 1898. By 1922, homes for more than 1922, homes for more than 3300 children had been found. 3300 children had been found. The first major outcome study, The first major outcome study, How Foster Children Turn OutHow Foster Children Turn Out (1924), was based on the work (1924), was based on the work of this agency.of this agency.


1891, Michigan was the first 1891, Michigan was the first state to require that “the [the state to require that “the [the judge] shall be satisfied as to judge] shall be satisfied as to the good moral character, and the good moral character, and the ability to support and the ability to support and educate such child, and of the educate such child, and of the suitableness of the home, or the suitableness of the home, or the person or persons adopting person or persons adopting such child.”such child.”


1910-1930, The 1910-1930, The first specialized adoption agenciesfirst specialized adoption agencies were were founded, including the Spence Alumni Society, the Free founded, including the Spence Alumni Society, the Free Synagogue Child Adoption Committee, the Alice Chapin Synagogue Child Adoption Committee, the Alice Chapin Nursery (all in New York) and the Cradle in Evanston, Nursery (all in New York) and the Cradle in Evanston, Illinois.Illinois.

1912-1921, 1912-1921, Baby farmingBaby farming, commercial maternity homes, , commercial maternity homes, and adoption ad investigations took place in Boston, New and adoption ad investigations took place in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Chicago, and other cities. York, Baltimore, Chicago, and other cities.

1916, Lewis Terman's revision of the Binet scale 1916, Lewis Terman's revision of the Binet scale popularized the intelligence quotient, or I.Q. Worries popularized the intelligence quotient, or I.Q. Worries about the about the “feeble-minded”“feeble-minded” mentality of children available mentality of children available for adoption, and trends toward measuring their mental for adoption, and trends toward measuring their mental potential as one part of the adoption process, usually potential as one part of the adoption process, usually with mental tests, grew out of the with mental tests, grew out of the eugenicseugenics movement in movement in the early part of the century. the early part of the century.


1917, 1917, MinnesotaMinnesota passed first law mandating social passed first law mandating social investigation of all adoptions (including investigation of all adoptions (including home studieshome studies) and ) and providing for the providing for the confidentialityconfidentiality of adoption records. of adoption records.

1919, The Russell Sage Foundation published the first 1919, The Russell Sage Foundation published the first professional child-placing manual; professional child-placing manual; U.S. Children's BureauU.S. Children's Bureau setset minimum standards minimum standards for child-placing; for child-placing; Jessie TaftJessie Taft authored authored an early manifesto for therapeutic adoption, an early manifesto for therapeutic adoption, “Relation of Personality Study to Child Placing.”“Relation of Personality Study to Child Placing.”

1919-1929, The first empirical 1919-1929, The first empirical field studiesfield studies of adoption of adoption gathered basic information about how many adoptions were gathered basic information about how many adoptions were taking place, of whom, and by whom. taking place, of whom, and by whom.


1934, The state of Iowa began administering mental tests 1934, The state of Iowa began administering mental tests to all children placed for adoption in hopes of preventing to all children placed for adoption in hopes of preventing the unwitting adoption of retarded children (called “the unwitting adoption of retarded children (called “feeble-minded”feeble-minded” at the time). This policy inspired at the time). This policy inspired nature-nurture studiesnature-nurture studies at the Iowa Child Welfare Station at the Iowa Child Welfare Station that eventually served to challenge hereditarian that eventually served to challenge hereditarian orthodoxies and promote policies of early family orthodoxies and promote policies of early family placement.placement.

1935, Social Security Act included provision for aid to 1935, Social Security Act included provision for aid to dependent children, crippled children's programs, and dependent children, crippled children's programs, and child welfare, which eventually led to a dramatic child welfare, which eventually led to a dramatic expansion of expansion of foster carefoster care; American Youth Congress issued ; American Youth Congress issued “The Declaration of the Rights of American Youth”; “The Declaration of the Rights of American Youth”; Justine Wise Justine Wise PolierPolier was appointed to head the Domestic was appointed to head the Domestic Relations Court of Manhattan. She became an important Relations Court of Manhattan. She became an important early critic of early critic of matchingmatching in adoption. in adoption.


1937-1938, First 1937-1938, First Child Welfare League of AmericaChild Welfare League of America initiative initiative that distinguished that distinguished minimum standardsminimum standards for permanent for permanent (adoptive) and temporary (foster) placements.(adoptive) and temporary (foster) placements.

1939, Valentine P. Wasson published 1939, Valentine P. Wasson published The Chosen BabyThe Chosen Baby, a , a landmark in the literature on landmark in the literature on tellingtelling children about their children about their adopted status.adopted status.

1944, In 1944, In Prince v. MassachusettsPrince v. Massachusetts, a case involving , a case involving Jehovah's Witnesses, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Jehovah's Witnesses, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the state's power as state's power as parens patriaeparens patriae to restrict parental to restrict parental control in order to guard “the general interest in youth's control in order to guard “the general interest in youth's well being.”well being.”

1948, The first recorded 1948, The first recorded transracialtransracial adoption adoption of an African- of an African-American child by white parents took place in Minnesota. American child by white parents took place in Minnesota.


1949, New York was the first state to pass a law against 1949, New York was the first state to pass a law against black market adoptions, which proved unenforceable in black market adoptions, which proved unenforceable in practice.practice.

1953, Uniform Adoption Act first proposed. Few states 1953, Uniform Adoption Act first proposed. Few states ever adopted it; ever adopted it; Jean Jean PatonPaton founded Orphan Voyage, the founded Orphan Voyage, the first adoptee first adoptee searchsearch support network. support network.

1953-1954, Child Welfare League of America conducted 1953-1954, Child Welfare League of America conducted nationwide survey of adoption agency practices.nationwide survey of adoption agency practices.

1953-1958, The first nationally coordinated effort to 1953-1958, The first nationally coordinated effort to locate adoptive homes for locate adoptive homes for African American childrenAfrican American children, the , the National Urban League Foster Care and Adoptions National Urban League Foster Care and Adoptions Project. Project.


1954, Helen Doss published 1954, Helen Doss published The Family Nobody WantedThe Family Nobody Wanted; ; Jean Paton published Jean Paton published The Adopted Break SilenceThe Adopted Break Silence, the first , the first book to offer a variety of first-person book to offer a variety of first-person adoption narrativesadoption narratives and promote the notion that adoptees had a distinctive and promote the notion that adoptees had a distinctive identity.identity.

1955, 1955, Child Welfare League of AmericaChild Welfare League of America national conference national conference on adoption in Chicago announced that the era of on adoption in Chicago announced that the era of special needs adoptionspecial needs adoption had arrived; Congressional inquiry had arrived; Congressional inquiry into interstate and black market adoptions. into interstate and black market adoptions. Bertha and Harry HoltBertha and Harry Holt adopted eight Korean War orphans adopted eight Korean War orphans after a special act of Congress allowed them to do so; after a special act of Congress allowed them to do so; Pearl S. BuckPearl S. Buck accused social workers and religious accused social workers and religious institutions of sustaining the black market and institutions of sustaining the black market and preventing the adoption of children in order to preserve preventing the adoption of children in order to preserve their jobs; Adopt-A-Child founded by the National Urban their jobs; Adopt-A-Child founded by the National Urban League and fourteen New York agencies to promote League and fourteen New York agencies to promote African-American adoptionsAfrican-American adoptions..


1957, International Conference on Intercountry 1957, International Conference on Intercountry Adoptions issued report on problems of Adoptions issued report on problems of international adoptionsinternational adoptions; U.S. adoption agencies sponsored ; U.S. adoption agencies sponsored legislation to prohibit or control legislation to prohibit or control proxy adoptionsproxy adoptions..

1958, 1958, Child Welfare League of AmericaChild Welfare League of America published published Standards Standards of Adoption Serviceof Adoption Service (revised in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1988, (revised in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1988, 2000); 2000); Indian Adoption ProjectIndian Adoption Project began. began.

1959, UN Assembly adopted Declaration of the Rights of 1959, UN Assembly adopted Declaration of the Rights of the Child, endorsed in 1960 by Golden Anniversary White the Child, endorsed in 1960 by Golden Anniversary White House Conference on Children and Youth.House Conference on Children and Youth.

1961, The Immigration and Nationality Act incorporated, 1961, The Immigration and Nationality Act incorporated, for the first time, provisions for the for the first time, provisions for the internationalinternational adoption adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens.of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens.


1960, Psychiatrist 1960, Psychiatrist Marshall Marshall SchechterSchechter published a study published a study claiming that adopted children were 100 times more claiming that adopted children were 100 times more likely than their non-adopted counterparts to show up in likely than their non-adopted counterparts to show up in clinical populations. This sparked a vigorous debate clinical populations. This sparked a vigorous debate about whether adoptive kinship was itself a risk factor about whether adoptive kinship was itself a risk factor for mental disturbance and illness and inspired a new for mental disturbance and illness and inspired a new round of studies into the round of studies into the psychopathologypsychopathology of adoption. of adoption.

1962-1965, Special conference on child abuse, led by 1962-1965, Special conference on child abuse, led by Katherine Oettinger, chief of the Children's Bureau, Katherine Oettinger, chief of the Children's Bureau, generated proposals for new laws requiring doctors to generated proposals for new laws requiring doctors to notify law enforcement and most states adopted such notify law enforcement and most states adopted such legislation.legislation.

1963, National Institute of Child Health and Human 1963, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development established as part of the National Development established as part of the National Institutes of Health; Institutes of Health; U.S. Children's BureauU.S. Children's Bureau moved from moved from Social Security Administration to Welfare Social Security Administration to Welfare Administration.Administration.


1964, H. David Kirk published 1964, H. David Kirk published Shared Fate: A Theory of Adoption and Mental HealthShared Fate: A Theory of Adoption and Mental Health, the , the first book to make adoption a serious issue in the first book to make adoption a serious issue in the sociological literature on family life and mental health. sociological literature on family life and mental health.

1965, The Los Angeles County Bureau of Adoptions 1965, The Los Angeles County Bureau of Adoptions launched the first organized program of launched the first organized program of single parent adoptionssingle parent adoptions in order to locate homes for hard-to- in order to locate homes for hard-to-place children with place children with special needsspecial needs..

1966, The National Adoption Resource Exchange, later 1966, The National Adoption Resource Exchange, later renamed the Adoption Resource Exchange of North renamed the Adoption Resource Exchange of North America (ARENA), was established as an outgrowth of America (ARENA), was established as an outgrowth of the the Indian Adoption ProjectIndian Adoption Project..

1969, President Nixon created the Office of Child 1969, President Nixon created the Office of Child Development in HEW to coordinate and administer Head Development in HEW to coordinate and administer Head Start and Start and U.S. Children's BureauU.S. Children's Bureau functions. functions.


1970, Adoptions reached their century-long 1970, Adoptions reached their century-long statisticalstatistical peak at approximately 175,000 per year. Almost 80 peak at approximately 175,000 per year. Almost 80 percent of the total were arranged by agencies.percent of the total were arranged by agencies.

1971, Florence Fisher founded the Adoptees Liberty 1971, Florence Fisher founded the Adoptees Liberty Movement Association “to abolish the existing practice of Movement Association “to abolish the existing practice of sealed records”sealed records” and advocate for “opening of records to and advocate for “opening of records to any adopted person over eighteen who wants, for any any adopted person over eighteen who wants, for any reason, to see them.”reason, to see them.”

1972, 1972, National Association of Black Social WorkersNational Association of Black Social Workers opposed opposed transracialtransracial adoptions adoptions; ; Stanley v. IllinoisStanley v. Illinois substantially substantially increased the rights of unwed fathers in adoption by increased the rights of unwed fathers in adoption by requiring informed consent and proof of parental requiring informed consent and proof of parental unfitness prior to termination of parental rights.unfitness prior to termination of parental rights.


1973, 1973, Roe v. WadeRoe v. Wade legalized abortion; legalized abortion; Beyond the Best Interests of the ChildBeyond the Best Interests of the Child articulated the articulated the influential concept of “psychological parent,” which influential concept of “psychological parent,” which prioritized continuity of nurture and speedy and prioritized continuity of nurture and speedy and permanent decisions in legal proceedings related to child permanent decisions in legal proceedings related to child placement and adoption. placement and adoption.

1976, 1976, Concerned United BirthparentsConcerned United Birthparents founded founded

1978, 1978, Indian Child Welfare ActIndian Child Welfare Act passed by Congress. passed by Congress.

1980, 1980, Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare ActAdoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act offered offered significant funding to states that supported subsidy programs significant funding to states that supported subsidy programs for for special needs adoptionsspecial needs adoptions and devoted resources to family and devoted resources to family preservation, reunification, and the prevention of abuse, preservation, reunification, and the prevention of abuse, neglect, and child removal.neglect, and child removal.


1980, 1980, Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare ActAdoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act offered offered significant funding to states that supported subsidy significant funding to states that supported subsidy programs for special needs adoptions and devoted programs for special needs adoptions and devoted resources to family preservation, reunification, and the resources to family preservation, reunification, and the prevention of abuse, neglect, and child removal.prevention of abuse, neglect, and child removal.

1989, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child1989, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

1993, Hague Convention on the Protection of Children 1993, Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect to Intercountry Adoptionand Co-operation in respect to Intercountry Adoption


1994, Multiethnic Placement Act was the first federal law 1994, Multiethnic Placement Act was the first federal law to concern itself with race in adoption. It prohibited to concern itself with race in adoption. It prohibited agencies receiving federal funds from denying agencies receiving federal funds from denying transracial adoptions on the sole basis of race, but transracial adoptions on the sole basis of race, but permitted the use of race as one factor, among others, in permitted the use of race as one factor, among others, in foster and adoptive placements. A 1996 revision to this foster and adoptive placements. A 1996 revision to this law, the Inter-Ethnic Adoption Amendment, made it law, the Inter-Ethnic Adoption Amendment, made it impermissible to employ race at all.impermissible to employ race at all.

1996, Bastard Nation founded. Its mission statement 1996, Bastard Nation founded. Its mission statement promoted “the full human and civil rights of adult promoted “the full human and civil rights of adult adopted persons,” including access to sealed records.adopted persons,” including access to sealed records.

1997, Adoption and Safe Families Act stressed 1997, Adoption and Safe Families Act stressed permanency planning for children and youth.permanency planning for children and youth.


1998, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 58, allowing 1998, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 58, allowing adult adopted persons access to original birth adult adopted persons access to original birth certificates. This legal blow to confidentiality and sealed certificates. This legal blow to confidentiality and sealed records was stalled by legal challenges to the measure's records was stalled by legal challenges to the measure's constitutionality, which eventually failed. The measure constitutionality, which eventually failed. The measure has been in effect in Oregon since June 2000.has been in effect in Oregon since June 2000.

2000, The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allowed foreign-2000, The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allowed foreign-born adopted persons to become automatic American born adopted persons to become automatic American citizens when they entered the United States, eliminating citizens when they entered the United States, eliminating the legal burden of naturalization for international the legal burden of naturalization for international adoptions; Census 2000 included “adopted son/daughter” adoptions; Census 2000 included “adopted son/daughter” as a kinship category for the first time in U.S. history.as a kinship category for the first time in U.S. history.

http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~adoption/http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~adoption/

Child Welfare History Foster Care to Adoption History.

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Transcript of Child Welfare History Foster Care to Adoption History.