Understanding How Foster Caregivers Support Youth Development
Practices of Foster Caregivers and the Developmental Outcomes of Youth in Foster Care: A Multi-Method Investigation
This project explores how the ways foster parents care for children can help young people grow and thrive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180192 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Children in foster care often face many challenges, including past trauma, which can affect their well-being. However, we know that a stable and supportive foster home can make a big difference in how these young people develop. This project aims to understand what specific caregiving practices and environments help foster youth achieve positive outcomes. Researchers will look at existing data and also gather information from foster parents about their methods and training, especially considering factors like transracial placements. The goal is to identify key factors that lead to better development for children in foster care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on understanding the experiences of youth in foster care and the practices of their caregivers.
Not a fit: Patients not involved in the foster care system or those outside the age range of youth in foster care may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help develop better support and training for foster parents, leading to improved well-being and development for children in foster care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research suggests that supportive foster care environments can improve child well-being, and this project builds on that understanding by looking at specific caregiving practices.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wright, Anna Waters — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Wright, Anna Waters
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.