Leaving home at an early age: Parents' decisions about out-of-home placement for young children with complex medical needs

Qualitative methodology was used to examine the circumstances leading to the realization of the need for out-of-home placement. A series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 parents who had made the decision for out-of-home placement. Results indicated that these parents went through a similar process: initial feelings of excitement turn to weariness, first thoughts about the need for additional assistance in caring for their child, realization of the need for out-of-home placement based on minimal social supports, difficulties with services, overwhelming medical care, and mounting financial concerns ("triggering events"); need for approval for the decision; and reflections on the decision. Conclusions and implications for practice, policy, and future research are provided.