Honors Theses
Date of Award
Fall 8-2022
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Public Policy Leadership
First Advisor
Melissa Bass
Second Advisor
Joseph Holland
Third Advisor
Sarah Mason
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Are there enough foster parents to meet the needs of our community? Who advocates on behalf of children who are in the custody of the state? What do children in custody need? Prior to this research, the general public was unable to find these answers in a concise and accessible manner. This study explores the community needs of the Lafayette County Foster Care System in Mississippi, through the means of a needs assessment. The assessment involves six interviews with local foster care leaders, collection and analysis of results, and formal recommendations. Findings are organized by both individual interviews and thematic analysis. The findings include a wide array of strengths and needs. Thematic strengths include cross-organization collaboration, Court Appointed Special Advocates, new Child Protective Services hire, and current resources. Thematic needs include an increased number of resource homes and parents, further resources, affordable housing, and community support. Recommended action stemming from discussion and analysis falls into three primary steps: awareness, acknowledgment, and action. The study concludes that there is much to celebrate, yet much room for growth, and the people of Lafayette County have the opportunity to engage for change.
Recommended Citation
McKissick, Meredith, "An Exploration of Community Needs: The Lafayette County Foster Care System," (2022). Honors Theses. 2813.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2813
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.