Permanence and stability of placement : an assessment of the effectiveness of foster and adoptive parent training

Achieving permanence and stability, both emotionally and physically, is a major goal for most people. This goal begins to surface early in life within the family setting. Unfortunately, children who have been subjected to abuse and/or neglect at the hands of their caregivers may face the grave consequence of lack of permanency and instability within their family systems. This grave consequence is one that can have a negative effect on a person’s future. In order to prevent this from occurring, the Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services (DSES), Family and Children Services works to provide children, who have suffered from abuse, with permanent and stable placements. While interning with the Adoptions Unit for Monterey County DSES, I have gained the understanding that training is the key to preparing new foster and adoptive caregivers. This training also supplies these caregivers with the necessary information that will create a stable environment for the child. My Capstone centers on evaluating how effective this training is in hopes of giving the gift of permanence and stability to the children who have suffered from abuse