| Foster care is a relatively unknown system for most lay people. However, for the approximately half-million children who are lingering in the system it is a reality. Foster care is designed to be a temporary safe haven for children from neglectful and abusive home. Unfortunately, research shows that foster care is often anything but temporary and may create more trauma for a child who has already suffered at a young age.;One of the major problems for children in the foster care system is loss and grief. These children have experienced severe losses, and resources are seldom provided, nor is the time given to assist them in processing their grief from loss of their biological families, schools, communities, friends, and the loss they often experience through placement changes. Often, they are unable to reconcile or resolve their grief before they experience another loss. The end result is children who have severe and compounded grief that often manifests in behavioral symptoms.;The 3-5-7 model is a loss and grief model that Dr. Darla Henry designed to assist foster youth. The premise of the model is that if the children are able to process their losses and reconcile even a portion of the grief they have had, then they may be able to obtain a permanent home and a more positive future. The 3-5-7 model was combined with an organizational change model to increase the effectiveness of implementation.;In Kern County, California, a pilot study was conducted using the 3-5-7 model between 2008 and 2009. Although the study was small in number (20), the results were positive. There were small but positive changes seen among the pilot study population in terms of depression scores, relationship perception, and behavioral manifestations as reported by caretakers and school personnel. There were also dramatic decreases in the number of placement changes during the study, and legal permanence was sought for many of the children. Although there are limitations due to sample size and budgetary constraints, organizational awareness resulted, and the results of the study were positive, inviting further study in the future. |
