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Research Requirement:

Program Impact Vision Suppose the Florida foster care program operated by NYAP achieved its highest level of success. In that case, children entering care would experience stability, safety, and emotional well-being from the beginning of placement through reunification or permanency. Success would be reflected in children being placed in supportive foster homes quickly, maintaining fewer placement disruptions, and receiving trauma-informed support services that foster resilience, coping skills, and healthy development. Families would also receive effective reunification services when appropriate, helping children return to safe homes and reducing their long-term involvement in foster care. Desired Outcomes Two key outcomes to evaluate are (1) placement stability and (2) emotional and behavioral improvements in children in care. Placement stability is important because frequent moves can increase trauma, emotional distress, and long-term mental health issues. Better emotional and behavioral functioning, such as improved emotional regulation, fewer behavioral episodes, and increased school engagement, would show that trauma-informed interventions and supportive foster placements are enhancing child well-being. These outcomes are central indicators of program success and align with child-welfare best practices for achieving lasting permanency and wellness. Measurement Ideas To capture these outcomes, the program could use a mix of quantitative and qualitative tools. Placement stability can be measured through case management records documenting the number of placements and the length of time in each home. Emotional and behavioral progress could be assessed using standardized trauma-assessment tools (e.g., Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS), behavioral checklists completed by foster parents and school personnel, and periodic caseworker observations. Follow-up interviews with youth and caregivers would provide rich qualitative data about well-being, support services, and perceived progress. Ethical and Practical Considerations Several challenges may arise when collecting this data, including maintaining confidentiality for minors and families, ensuring trauma-sensitive communication, and minimizing participant burden. Children involved in foster care often have complex histories, so extra care must be taken to avoid traumatization during interviews or assessments. Additionally, case data may be incomplete or vary across providers, creating consistency challenges. Finally, time constraints and emotional stress could make it difficult for foster parents or youth to participate consistently, so data collection must prioritize privacy, compassion, and flexibility.