Rebecca Padot - The Politics of Foster Care Administration in the United States

First published 2015
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Padot, Rebecca.

The politics of foster care administration in the United States /

by Rebecca Padot.

pages cm. (Routledge research in public administration and public

policy ; 12)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Foster home careUnited States. I. Title.

HV881.P33 2014

362.733dc23

2014020626

ISBN: 978-1-138-02194-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-77741-2 (ebk)

Typeset in Sabon
by Apex CoVantage, LLC

By sharing their experiences for this study, the following individuals will help to improve foster care and increase government effectiveness. In Delaware, I extend my gratitude to John Bates, Elizabeth Bouchelle, Tania Culley, Cari DeSantis, Del Failing, Vincent Giampeitro, Carlyse Giddens, Sandy Johnson, Michael Kersteter, Arkadi Kuhlmann, Chandlee Johnson Kuhn, Ruth Ann Minner, Leslie Newman, and Meghan Pasricha. In New York, I offer special thanks to Michael Arsham, Francis Ayuso, John Courtney, Kelly Garvey, Sarah Gerstenzang, Richard Hucke, Nancy Martinez, LaTrella R. Penny, Nicholas Pirro, and Deborah Rubien. In Rhode Island, I am grateful to Julie DiBari, Anne Fortier, Lisa Guillette, Dorothy Hultine, Patricia Martinez, Dana Mullen, Heidi Mulligan, Maureen OShea, Maureen Robbins, Kevin Savage, Jenifer Silva, Sarah St. Jacques, and Philip Steiner. In Michigan, I owe special thanks to Ishmael Ahmed, Mary Chaliman, Maura D. Corrigan, Kate Hanley, Patrick Heron, James Novell, Patrick Okoronokwo, Gayle Robbert, Janet Snyder, Vicki Thompson-Sandy, Victoria Tyler, Marianne Udow, and Jane Zehnder-Merrell. Hailing from all areas of the United States, I send my appreciation to Christine Craig, Lisa Pearson, Brent Thompson, Carole Thompson, Muna Walker, Barbara Wilson, and Harry Wilson.

I am grateful to many foundations and organizations for considering my research worthy of support. Thank you for granting me the following designations: PRRUCS Fellow, Earhart Fellow, Mumford Fellow, Bradley Fellow, and Fox Distinguished Graduate Fellow. Without these funders, this study would not have been possible.

The Pew Charitable Trusts taught me how to champion philanthropic performance measurement and return on investment community service, and for that I am grateful. Allowing me to serve on a portfolio of programs that assisted at-risk youth, universities, and other social impact endeavors was an extraordinary opportunity. Thank you to my supervisors Dr. Sulc and Dr. Lugo for your commitment to social science, performance measurement, and the social good. Much gratitude to Dr. Sulc for your feedback on an earlier draft of this study.

To a public administration scholar who has written countless books upon which we now build our theories, I am grateful to Professor Donald F. Kettl, who served on my committee both during his time as executive director of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania and also as professor and dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Both his assistance with the research design and implementation of this study and his mentoring in the fields of public policy and public administration research have been invaluable.