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Delivering behavior Support in the Foster Care System

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Handbook of Positive Behavior Support

Part of the book series: Issues in Clinical Child Psychology ((ICCP))

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Abstract

Positive behavior support (PBS) emerged in the mid-1980s with a focus on the behavior support needs of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and problem behavior (Carr et al., 2002; Dunlap & Carr, 2007; Dunlap & Hieneman, 2005). Since then, PBS has been demonstrated with many additional populations in schools, homes, and other community settings. As is evident in chapters throughout the current volume, PBS has been used effectively in an increasing number of human service systems, including early intervention (e.g., Head Start), public schools, and mental health.

One system that has received little attention with respect to systematic behavior support (including PBS) is child welfare. The child welfare system provides care for the many thousands of children who are without a biological family home within the context of an array of settings, such as foster care, therapeutic foster care, group shelters, group homes, and specialized adoptions. Principal reasons for children being placed in the child welfare system are abuse, neglect, and parental incarceration. Such children, of course, are extremely vulnerable to serious problems in social-emotional development and the emergence of problem behaviors.

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Crosland, K., Dunlap, G., Clark, H.B., Neff, B. (2009). Delivering behavior Support in the Foster Care System. In: Sailor, W., Dunlap, G., Sugai, G., Horner, R. (eds) Handbook of Positive Behavior Support. Issues in Clinical Child Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09632-2_12

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