Unaccompanied immigrant children in long term foster care: Identifying needs and best practices from a child welfare perspective

The numbers of unaccompanied children immigrating to the U.S. from Central America have increased drastically in recent years, and as many as 35% are eventually placed in long term foster care (LTFC) while in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Yet, the research literature has been largely silent on the unique needs of these children while in care, or how practitioners can best respond to these needs. Drawing data from 22 focus groups with professionals and foster parents (n = 79) in two large organizations serving unaccompanied children in LTFC, the current qualitative study is designed to address these gaps. Analysis of data followed a grounded theory approach of open and axial coding to develop themes. The most pressing needs of children in care include securing appropriate and stable foster placements for youth; promoting connections in the community; ensuring adequate education and independent living skills; difficulties with acculturation; trauma and mental health issues; and issues related to legal status. Current strategies to address these issues include supporting culturally competent foster placements; providing English-language training; promoting relationships in the community such as mentors; and providing health and health-related services. Future research and practice should include a specific focus on those youth most marginalized in the education system, particularly those who lack language skills and formal education. The provision of culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care is needed in practice, as is the need to establish culturally valid trauma assessments. More work could be done to sensitize communities to the unique needs and strengths of unaccompanied youth as they integrate into U.S. society. For these children, a sense of permanency will likely entail building strong relationships in their local community that can help sustain them when they leave foster care.