Evidence-Based Practice for Youth in Supervised Out-of-Home Care: A Framework for Development, Definition, and Evaluation

Abstract

Adolescents comprise a substantial portion of the children in child welfare supervised out-of-home care. This article considers the evidence base for an array of services to adolescents in out-of-home care and evaluates the existing research base for each program. This review advances a framework for considering the critical need to develop, define, and evaluate the essential elements of out-of-home care services for older foster youth. Policy, program, and evaluation recommendations are forwarded.

KEYWORDS:

• Evidence-based practice
• out-of-home care
• foster youth