Mark Courtney is a Professor in the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. Courtney and University of Chicago colleague Amy Dworsky led the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth, widely cited as an authoritative assessment of the adult functioning of former foster children. SPARC interviewed Professor Courtney during March, 2014, focusing on applications of the Midwest Study’s findings for child welfare advocates.
“Even if we don’t always succeed with these interventions in preventing placement, which we’d all like to do, by engaging families in this way from the beginning, we lay the groundwork for helping these young people manage these relationships after aging out.” — Professor Mark Courtney
A transcript of highlights from the interview and a summary of findings from research based on Midwest Study data are also available.