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<p>In the United States over 200,000 youth exit the foster care system through reunification with parents/caregivers, adoption, or emancipation each year (US DHHS, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/afcars-report-28). Some youth with foster care histories have positive outcomes after leaving care, while others face continuing challenges, including the risk of homelessness. This study sought to develop and validate a screening instrument designed to identify risk factors for homelessness among youth aged 14–21 in or with foster care histories. This study was grounded in the voices and experiences of youth, caregivers, and foster care staff in order to develop the “WBF Homelessness Risk Screen.” Focus groups and item refinement were used to develop a draft instrument. Next, using baseline data from 82 youth in a foster care intervention study, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional model with a refined 11-item version demonstrating the best fit. The screening instrument showed good internal consistency and construct validity, with screen scores significantly and negatively correlated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support. These findings provide preliminary evidence for a reliable, valid tool that practitioners can use to identify foster youth at risk for homelessness—supporting early intervention and targeted opportunities to improve the service delivery systems. Further research is needed to assess predictive validity and cross-population applicability.</p>

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Developing a Screen for Foster Care and the Risk of Homelessness

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月3日

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  • G. Lawrence Farmer,
  • Janna C. Heyman,
  • Linda White-Ryan,
  • Peggy Kelly,
  • Ye Feng,
  • Henry J. Davis,
  • Tara Linh Leaman

摘要

In the United States over 200,000 youth exit the foster care system through reunification with parents/caregivers, adoption, or emancipation each year (US DHHS, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/afcars-report-28). Some youth with foster care histories have positive outcomes after leaving care, while others face continuing challenges, including the risk of homelessness. This study sought to develop and validate a screening instrument designed to identify risk factors for homelessness among youth aged 14–21 in or with foster care histories. This study was grounded in the voices and experiences of youth, caregivers, and foster care staff in order to develop the “WBF Homelessness Risk Screen.” Focus groups and item refinement were used to develop a draft instrument. Next, using baseline data from 82 youth in a foster care intervention study, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional model with a refined 11-item version demonstrating the best fit. The screening instrument showed good internal consistency and construct validity, with screen scores significantly and negatively correlated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support. These findings provide preliminary evidence for a reliable, valid tool that practitioners can use to identify foster youth at risk for homelessness—supporting early intervention and targeted opportunities to improve the service delivery systems. Further research is needed to assess predictive validity and cross-population applicability.