Growing Up in the Care of Strangers

The experiences, Insights and Recommendations of Eleven Former Foster Kids

Growing up in placment takes a toll, not just on the children and adolescents but also on the professionals charged with their care.  Judges, policy makers, administrators, probation officers, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, caseworkers, social workers, foster parents, house parents, guardians ad litem, CASA volunteers, child welfare advocates, educators and program staff make critical decisions that can affect a child’s life forever.

The purpose of this book is to provide child welfare professionals insightful feedback from former foster children who grew up in juvenile justice, foster care, orphanage, adoptive and mental health placements.  What makes this book particularly instructive derives from the authors’ credentials.  They are college-educated adults who masterfully intertwine their childhood stories with mature perspective and their own professional expertise.