Introduction: The Chronic Nature of the Foster Care Crisis / Patrick A. Curtis -- 1. Foster Care Dynamics / Robert M. Goerge, Fred Wulczyn and Allen Harden -- 2. The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System: Implications for Foster Care Policy / Raymond Collins -- 3. Predictors of Child Protective Service Intake Decisions: Case Closure, Referral to Continuing Services, or Foster Care Placement / Susan Zuravin and Diane DePanfilis -- 4. Foster Care and the Special Needs of Minority Children / Anthony J. Urquiza, Jane Wu and Joaquin Borrego, Jr. -- 5. Incorporating the Perspectives of Youth Placed in Family Foster Care: Selected Research Findings and Methodological Challenges / Mary C. Curran and Peter J. Pecora -- 6. Foster Care and the Costs of Welfare Reform / Mark E. Courtney -- 7. Recent Trends in Kinship Care: Public Policy, Payments, and Outcomes for Children / Jill Duerr Berrick and Barbara Needell.

8. A Proposal for Universal Medical and Mental Health Screenings for Children Entering Foster Care / Grady Dale, Jr., Joshua C. Kendall and Janet Stein Schultz -- 9. Foster Care and Pathways to Mental Health Services / John Landsverk and Ann F. Garland -- 10. Foster Care and Family Reunification / Anthony N. Maluccio -- 11. The Rationalization of Foster Care in the Twenty-First Century / Mark E. Courtney and Anthony N. Maluccio.