Voluntary Placement of Children into Foster Care: Perspectives of Child Welfare Stakeholders

Voluntary placement agreements are a less understood avenue through which children and families receive child welfare services. This article describes a qualitative exploratory study of participants who oversee and engage with children and families utilizing voluntary placement services in two states (n = 12). Thematic analysis of interviews revealed voluntary placements are used as a strategy for strengths-based engagement with families, including creative problem-solving, to help obtain resources for youth with emotional and behavioral health needs. Participants also described challenges managing ambiguity regarding the use of voluntary placements and acknowledged limitations and varied outcomes of voluntary placement. Youth in voluntary placements are often overlooked in broader child welfare and foster care practice and policy discussions. Stronger accountability and guidance on voluntary placements are needed to ensure children and families are provided adequate supports to reduce the need for out-of-home placements when possible.