Fostering relationships in foster care administration : An exploratory four-state public leadership and management study / Rebecca Hope Padot.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Padot, Rebecca Hope.

Contributor:

Nagel, Jack H., advisor.

University of Pennsylvania.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Penn dissertations--Political science.

Political science--Penn dissertations.

Local Subjects:

Penn dissertations--Political science.

Political science--Penn dissertations.

Physical Description:

viii, 286 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm

Production:

2011.

Summary:

This study focuses on the public administration of foster care systems in the states of Delaware, Michigan, New York, and Rhode Island in order to determine the conditions under which foster care outcomes can be improved. This study recognizes that foster care is understudied in political science, that government-by-proxy and intergovernmental relations profoundly affect the public administration of foster care, and that there is significant state-to-state variance in the public administration of foster care.

This research was structured to test whether certain states became stronger-performing foster care states by placing a greater priority on building community partners, integrating the advice of mentors, providing leadership from public managers, and cultivating relationships with the federal government.

Controlling for state foster care caseload per capita, the study featured top and bottom performing states based on quantitative and qualitative performance data including the federal Child Welfare Outcomes Report.

In addition to conducting field research in each case state, the author obtained over fifty-five interviews with key players connected to the foster care issue. The majority of these interviews were elite level interviews, including a governor and heads of state health and human service agencies.

The study found that policymakers and practitioners can foster conditions that make feasible changes in foster care administration. "Principled Agents" can develop networks, partnerships and strategies to produce positive results. More broadly, the analysis documented that the federal government's role and its relationship to the states regarding funding and management of foster care is changing. The study concludes by offering practical steps regarding how states, the federal government, and policy and program entrepreneurs can improve foster care.

Notes:

Adviser: Jack H. Nagel.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Political Science) -- University of Pennsylvania, 2011.

Includes bibliographical references.