Transitioning Foster Youth to Less Restrictive Settings: Perspectives of Treatment Foster Parents

Despite the interest in stepping youth down from more expensive and restrictive placements, there is a paucity of research on transitioning youth from group settings to family settings such as treatment foster care. In this qualitative study, the authors conducted unstructured, individual interviews with treatment foster care parents about the transition process youth experience when moving from group care to treatment foster care. Thematic analysis uncovered a 3-phase transition process: getting acquainted, getting settled, and getting adjusted. Resulting themes provide best practice implications for treatment foster care agency administrators, social workers, and group care staff interested in preparing youth and their caregivers for a smooth transition to family settings.