National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being Research Brief No. 14. Need for Adoption Among Infants Investigated for Child Maltreatment and Adoption Status 5 to 6 Years Later

摘要

A stable and loving relationship with a primary caregiver is critical for healthy infant development. Many infants in the child welfare system (CWS) lack these consistent relationships. Before they are placed out of home, many of these infants have already been exposed to multiple adverse conditions, including neglect, abuse, and domestic violence. Although placement out of the home keeps the infant safe from these conditions, the new placement and caregiver constitute another disruption during a developmental period when attachments are critical. Long stays in foster care may exacerbate this placement instability and jeopardize the consistency of a loving caregiver. Moreover, there is concern that some children, especially those of a particular racial/ethnic origin or those with special health care needs, may be less likely than other children to find a permanent home, or may have to wait longer for it.