Other

Follow

• 

  Caregivers of youth in foster care in Texas and their role in contraception decision-making for adolescents in care

  Shelby Edmondson, Ana Belen Conrado, Hilda Loria, Jill McLeigh, Jasmin Tiro, Simon Lee, and Jenny Francis

  This study describes the perspectives of caregivers of youth in foster care in Texas about the caregiver’s role in adolescent contraception decision-making for adolescents in their care, particularly for long-acting reversible contraception. The study also explores how providers and foster care agencies can better support pregnancy prevention for youth in care.

• 

  Research Participation of Minor Adolescents in Foster Care

  Jill McLeigh, Jane Andresen, Alexis Guzman, Jenny Francis, Heidi Kloster, and Susan Rosenthal

  In this study we evaluated published studies about foster care to: (1) determine the types of data used; (2) describe the degree to which a sexual/reproductive health topic was addressed; and (3) describe the consent process.

• 

  Caring for children in foster and kinship care during a pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations

  Hilda Loria, Jill McLeigh, Erinn Conner, Kristin Wolfe, Valerie Smith, Christopher Greeley, and Rachel Keefe

  Through qualitative feedback from professionals in healthcare, mental health, and child welfare, this study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of children in the child welfare system. Positive outcomes and challenges related to the care of children in foster or kinship care in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic are described. Themes identified included disparities in the child welfare system; utilization of telehealth; cross-sector communication and collaboration; safety considerations; and placement stability and support. The article concludes with recommendations in each of these areas for ensuring the health and well-being of children in foster and kinship care during a pandemic.