Rick Bazant

The Family System Effects on Children Placed in Out-of-home Care: How Does Foster Care Effect Young Adults and Their Family System Rick Bazant

Family functioning directly influences how a person connects to new relationships. The defining and measuring those interactions assesses the influence that these factors have on an individual?s functioning. Bowen family system theory (BFST) is a systemic approach that examines how past generational functioning influences current generations functioning. However, the question remains to be answered about how and what intergenerational factors influence the personality of young adults who were raised in alternative family placements. In workng at Orangewood Children?s Home, Orange County, California?s emergency shelter for abused and neglected children for over 20 years, I have witnessed useful and effective ways to deal with children placed in out-of-home care. Part of this coordination is to educate our communities about child abuse awareness. I hope to continue to develop ways to transition these children into connected relationships and independent living.