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Placement Stability and Family Support After GovernmentMandated Rapid Return: A Two-Year Follow-Up
The COVID-19 pandemic led to government-mandated rapid returns of children from residential care to family settings due to social distancing concerns.
KEY FINDINGS WHAT HAPPENED
AFTER TWO YEARS
16
55.51%
NGOs from
remaining with their families
SIX
90.49%
of children were still in contact
Placement stability varied by nation (15.4% to 96.8%), suggesting diverse outcomes.
NATIONS were surveyed, reporting
13,973 CHILDREN
SUPPORT SERVICES IMPACT
rapidly returned to families.
NGOs provided support services
MANDATES OCCURRED BETWEEN
March & August 2020 with an average preparation time of
21.87
EDUCATIONAL MEDICAL PSYCHOSOCIAL MATERIAL, OCCUPATIONAL/FINANCIAL
to families. More support services = higher placement stability
DAYS
A SURPRISING FINDING
Two years later, NGOs reported providing residential care for 17,301 children, an increase of 1,372 from the initial count. DISCUSSION
Placement Stability vs. Thriving
Services Impact Placement Stability
Systematic Issues Persist
While some families remained intact, it doesn't necessarily mean families were healthy. Family stress remained high, emphasizing the need for holistic support.
Families receiving more support services showed higher placement stability, aligning with previous research on the positive impact of robust support services.
Rapid unprepared return did not address systemic issues leading to children's placement in residential care. Many children were placed back in residential care despite the returns.
Based on research by Amanda Howard, Delia Pop, and Nicole G. Wilke.