Beyond Permanency: Subsequent Maltreatment Referrals and Removals Among Children Exiting Foster Care to Guardianship

Abstract

Guardianship is an increasingly popular alternative to adoption for children in foster care, but evidence of its long-term safety and continuity remains limited. Using California child protection system (CPS) records, the study followed all children born 1999-2005 who exited foster care to guardianship before age 18 (N = 16,408). Rates and predictors of post-guardianship CPS referrals and reentries were estimated and allegations were categorized as involving biological parents or guardians. Overall, 59% of children who exited to guardianship had a subsequent CPS referral and 19% reentered care. Thirty-four percent of postguardianship referrals involved alleged maltreatment by the biological parent from whom they were originally removed, and 68% involved alleged maltreatment by the guardian or another relative. Older children (ages 15–17) had the greatest risk of foster care reentry, while children in kin guardianship had significantly lower risk. Findings underscore the need for caregiver screening and enhanced postguardianship supports.