The article "Group Care and Young Children" by Jill Duerr Berrick, Richard P. Barth, Barbara Needell, and Melissa Jonson-Reid examines the use of group care for young children in California, focusing on the stability, permanence, and developmental outcomes of these placements. The authors note that while the average age of children in foster care has decreased due to an influx of infants and very young children, a significant number of these children are placed in group care settings. They argue that group care often results in less stability, lower rates of adoption, and a higher likelihood of remaining in care compared to foster homes. The study uses administrative data from California's Foster Care Information System to analyze the dynamics of placement for young children in group care. Key findings include: 1. **Stability of Caregiving**: Children placed in group care experience greater placement instability compared to those in foster homes. 2. **Length of Stay**: Many children in group care have extended stays, contrary to the belief that group care facilities enable short-term assessments. 3. **Exits from Care**: Children in group care are more likely to be reunified with their parents within four years, but they are also less likely to be adopted. 4. **Long-Term Outcomes**: Research suggests that children placed in group care may face long-term negative outcomes, such as difficulties in school, employment, and personal relationships. The authors conclude that while group care could potentially offer continuity of safe care until young adulthood, the current evidence from California's data does not support this notion. They argue that given the higher costs, less stability, and lower likelihood of adoption, very young children should not be placed in group care. Instead, specialized foster care, which has shown promise in stabilizing highly disturbed children, should be considered as an alternative for infants and small children.The article "Group Care and Young Children" by Jill Duerr Berrick, Richard P. Barth, Barbara Needell, and Melissa Jonson-Reid examines the use of group care for young children in California, focusing on the stability, permanence, and developmental outcomes of these placements. The authors note that while the average age of children in foster care has decreased due to an influx of infants and very young children, a significant number of these children are placed in group care settings. They argue that group care often results in less stability, lower rates of adoption, and a higher likelihood of remaining in care compared to foster homes. The study uses administrative data from California's Foster Care Information System to analyze the dynamics of placement for young children in group care. Key findings include: 1. **Stability of Caregiving**: Children placed in group care experience greater placement instability compared to those in foster homes. 2. **Length of Stay**: Many children in group care have extended stays, contrary to the belief that group care facilities enable short-term assessments. 3. **Exits from Care**: Children in group care are more likely to be reunified with their parents within four years, but they are also less likely to be adopted. 4. **Long-Term Outcomes**: Research suggests that children placed in group care may face long-term negative outcomes, such as difficulties in school, employment, and personal relationships. The authors conclude that while group care could potentially offer continuity of safe care until young adulthood, the current evidence from California's data does not support this notion. They argue that given the higher costs, less stability, and lower likelihood of adoption, very young children should not be placed in group care. Instead, specialized foster care, which has shown promise in stabilizing highly disturbed children, should be considered as an alternative for infants and small children.