RESEARCH INTEREST

Running head: RESEARCH INTEREST

Research Interest: Emotionally Disturbed Foster Care Youth

Who Age Out Of The System
Rhonda K. Mc Knuckles-Thomas
University of The Pacific

RESEARCH INTEREST

The passion for emotionally disturbed, foster care youth and what happens to
them after they age out of the system is something that has always pulled at my heart
strings. I begin exploring these issues in 2006 while earning a bachelors degree in
Human Services Management. Researching a system, which would support continued
care and resources through high school, college and/or trade school to build a functional
life for these students is my mission. Emotional Disturbance among foster youth requires
additional support systems such as mental health benefits and coverage throughout their
lives. The question is, how to put this system in place and who will fund it and how will
it be funded? Will the youth agree to accept the support?
Children enter the foster care system by no fault of their own. Research in several
level 4 foster care system group homes will give some insight into the daily lives of the
emotional disturbed youth. What caused the disturbance? What support systems are in
place for the children? What causes them to no longer trust the system and walk/run
away?). In my daily work with the San Joaquin County Office of Education I cross paths
with the youth that are in the foster care system and experience emotional disturbance.
The system does not always support their best interest as they are moved from home to
home and then group homes by the time they reach high school age.
Beginning the research process to learn and support these youth has been a
passion to complete since 2006. Over the next four years researching solutions that will
support improving the foster care support system for aged out youth is my mission.
Bringing awareness of how the systems fail them and how we could make improvements
to give them a better quality of life is the basis for the research.