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Predictors of running away from out-of-home care

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  • Courtney, Mark E.
  • Zinn, Andrew

Abstract

This study examines the frequency and predictors of youth running away from foster care in Illinois. Using data from the state's child welfare management information system and Medicaid paid claims data, study analyses focus on 14,282 children and youth who ran away from care at least once between 1993 and 2003. The likelihood that youths in care would run nearly doubled over the study period, driven largely by an increase over time in the likelihood that youths who had run once would run again. Child age, gender, race/ethnicity, disability, and diagnosed mental health and substance use disorders all predicted running from care. System-level factors including placement type, number of prior placements, prior runaway history, and administrative region were also found to predict running away. Implications of the study findings for child welfare policy and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Courtney, Mark E. & Zinn, Andrew, 2009. "Predictors of running away from out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1298-1306, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:12:p:1298-1306
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Herman, D.B. & Susser, E.S. & Struening, E.L., 1994. "Childhood out-of-home care and current depressive symptoms among homeless adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 84(11), pages 1849-1851.
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    3. Fasulo, Samuel J. & Cross, Theodore P. & Mosley, Peggy & Leavey, Joseph, 2002. "Adolescent Runaway Behavior in Specialized Foster Care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(8), pages 623-640, August.
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    2. Wulczyn, Fred, 2020. "Race/ethnicity and running away from foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    3. Sarri, Rosemary C. & Stoffregen, Elizabeth & Ryan, Joseph P., 2016. "Running away from child welfare placements: Justice system entry risk," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 191-197.
    4. Attar-Schwartz, Shalhevet, 2013. "Runaway behavior among adolescents in residential care: The role of personal characteristics, victimization experiences while in care, social climate, and institutional factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 258-267.
    5. Welch, Vicki & Jones, Christine & Stalker, Kirsten & Stewart, Alasdair, 2015. "Permanence for disabled children and young people through foster care and adoption: A selective review of international literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 137-146.
    6. King, Bryn & Fallon, Barbara & Filippelli, Joanne & Black, Tara & O'Connor, Carolyn, 2018. "Troubled teens and challenged caregivers: Characteristics associated with the decision to provide child welfare services to adolescents in Ontario, Canada," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 205-215.
    7. Latzman, Natasha E. & Gibbs, Deborah A. & Feinberg, Rose & Kluckman, Marianne N. & Aboul-Hosn, Sue, 2019. "Human trafficking victimization among youth who run away from foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 113-124.
    8. Bowden, Francesca & Lambie, Ian & Willis, Gwen, 2018. "Road runners: Why youth abscond from out-of-home care in New Zealand," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 535-544.
    9. Leenarts, Laura E.W. & Hoeve, Machteld & Van de Ven, Peter M. & Lodewijks, Henny P.B. & Doreleijers, Theo A.H., 2013. "Childhood maltreatment and motivation for treatment in girls in compulsory residential care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1041-1047.
    10. O'Brien, Jennifer & Finkelhor, David & Jones, Lisa, 2022. "Improving services for youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation: Insights from interventions with other high-risk youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    11. King, Bryn & Putnam-Hornstein, Emily & Cederbaum, Julie A. & Needell, Barbara, 2014. "A cross-sectional examination of birth rates among adolescent girls in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 179-186.
    12. Chor, Ka Ho Brian & Luo, Zhidi & Dworsky, Amy & Raman, Rameela & Courtney, Mark E. & Epstein, Richard A., 2022. "Development and validation of a predictive risk model for runaway among youth in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).

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