TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Mothers' experiences, resources and needs: The context for reunification
JO  - Children and youth services review
A1  - Marcenko, Maureen O.
A1  - Lyons, Sandra J.
A1  - Courtney, Mark
SP  - 431
EP  - 438
VL  - 33
IS  - 3
N2  - This paper extends prior scholarship regarding the characteristics of mothers involved with the child welfare system. In-person interviews were conducted with a statewide sample of 747 mothers, 318 with children remaining in home and 429 with children in care, to examine their socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics as well as service needs. Mothers were mostly impoverished, struggling to meet basic needs, and coping with early trauma, mental health problems, substance abuse and domestic violence. Almost half reported an annual income of less than $10,000 and 70% were unemployed, but few received public benefits with the exception of food stamps. Mothers with children in care experienced greater economic hardship than mothers whose children remained in home. The implications of the findings are discussed.<p /> 
LA  - 
SN  - 0190-7409
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.06.020
ID  - ref1
ER  -