The Foster Care Alumni Studies project—two related studies of alumni of foster care—is a collaboration among:
- Casey Family Programs
- Harvard University
- University of Michigan
- University of Washington
- The State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Children’s Administration, Division of Children and Family Services (Washington CA/DCFS)
- The Oregon Department of Human Services, Children, Adults and Families, Community Human Services (Oregon DHS).
These two research projects represent two of the largest retrospective foster-care alumni studies ever undertaken (with the power of over 2,150 participants).
The Northwest Alumni Study
The first report of the Northwest Alumni Study—Improving Family Foster Care: Findings from the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study—was released on April 6, 2005.
It presents data collected from case records for 659 alumni (479 of whom were interviewed) who had been in the care of Casey Family Programs or the Oregon or Washington State child welfare agencies between 1988 and 1998. Findings for three outcome domains are presented: Mental Health, Education, and Employment and Finance. This report also provides an overview of a predictive analysis showing which foster care services, when optimized, hold the greatest promise for improving the outcomes for foster youth. Practice and policy recommendations are included.
The Casey National Alumni Study
The first report of the Casey National Alumni Study—Assessing the Effects of Foster Care: Early Results from the Casey National Alumni Study—was released Nov. 12, 2003.
It presents data collected from case records for 1609 alumni (1087 of whom were interviewed) who had been in the care of Casey Family Programs between 1968 and 1998. Findings detail the life experiences, educational achievements, and current functioning of these alumni.
Additional reports for both studies will be posted on this site as they become available.