Normalcy for children in foster care in the time of coronavirus

Mary Elizabeth Collins, Sarah Baldiga - Journal of Children's Services

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe how a sense of normalcy for young people in foster care can be critical to their well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on policy and practice efforts in the USA to promote normalcy for youth in care. The authors review policy that promotes normalcy and report on one organization's efforts to support these goals.

Findings

COVID-19 has offered profound challenges to the goal of normalcy. Rise Above has adapted to meet the challenges.

Originality/value

The authors argue that COVID may also offer opportunities to build toward a more robust paradigm of normalcy within child welfare policy and practice.