Proposed initiatives for healthy children orphaned by AIDS.
The epidemiology of AIDS has changed greatly in recent years and increasing numbers of poor, minority women with children now contract HIV/AIDS. As infected women succumb to AIDS, many of their children become orphans. The paper explores the ability and appropriateness of the current child welfare system to care for healthy children orphaned by AIDS, and the likelihood of adoption for this population. The study includes a wide-ranging literature review of information about children orphaned by AIDS, and relevant information about the child welfare system, including racial bias. To determine current support for children orphaned by AIDS, the author surveyed social service departments and private agencies in eight major cities about programs available. Based on this information, the author proposes a series of policy initiatives aimed at alleviating the flight of children orphaned because of AIDS.
Cameron
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School of Planning & Landscape Architecture, Arizona State University Tempe 85287, USA.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000151:congenital / Q000635:transmission*; D000300:Adoption; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care; D016352:Group Homes; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011050:Policy Making; D011640:Public Policy; D014481:United States