Creating foster care youth biographies: A role for the internet

Nora Gustavsson, Ann MacEachron

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    8 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Large numbers of youth continue to enter foster care despite federal and state efforts to minimize placement. Some youth will experience lengthy tenure in care with multiple placements and be at risk for adverse events. They are also at risk for losing an accurate biography of their childhoods. We suggest a two-tiered approach to help youth develop a personal history. Agencies can establish a digital depository of basic information including pictures that document the life course of the youth. Agencies can help youth procure e-mail accounts. These e-mail accounts are under the control of the youth and can function as an electronic diary. Thus, youth would have a portable life biography and sense of self over time.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)45-55
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of Technology in Human Services
    Volume26
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Feb 26 2008

    Keywords

    • Biography
    • Foster care
    • Identity
    • Internet

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Health(social science)
    • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
    • General Social Sciences
    • Computer Networks and Communications

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