Caring for Children in Foster Care

Resources and information for foster parents about caring for children in their care.

• Lifebooks for children

Caring for Muslim Minors: Guidelines for Non-Muslim Families: Question and Answer Factsheet (PDF - 80 KB)
Bridging Refugee Youth & Children's Services (2002)
Explains the circumstances of Muslim refugee children and reviews Islamic beliefs about holy days, dietary restrictions, women's role in society, employment, and sex education.

Child Safety: Curricula for Staff and Foster Parents (PDF - 96 KB)
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2004)
Explores the incidence of child abuse in out-of-home care settings and the need to ensure child safety.

Foster Children and Sexualized Behavior (PDF - 231 KB)
Delaney
Connections, 2007
Lists seven red-flag behaviors of children who have been sexually abused, discusses foster parents' concerns, and offers parenting recommendations.

A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children
Blatt (2000)
View Abstract
An overview of common issues and concerns about caring for foster children, including specific considerations for children affected by abuse and neglect, challenging behaviors, health-related problems, and chronic illness.

Making Cultural Connections: Hair and Skin Care for Children of African Descent
Child Welfare League of America (2003)
View Abstract
This book is designed to assist foster and adoptive parents in caring for the hair and skin of African-American children in their care.

Parenting Someone Else's Child: The Foster Parents' "How-to" Manual
Stressman (2004)
View Abstract
A former foster parent shares parenting strategies to help foster parents and children succeed.

Practical Tools for Foster Parents
Temple-Plotz, Stricklett, Baker, & Sterba (Eds.) (2002)
View Abstract
Tools and strategies foster parents can use to nurture the development of their foster children, emphasizing professionalism, attachment, and child empowerment.

Pediatricians with a Special Interest in Adoption and Foster Care Medicine: Foster Care Directory (PDF – 37 KB)
American Academy of Pediatrics
State-by-State directory to help parents locate pediatricians who provide primary care to children in foster care.

Preparing to Be a Foster Parent
Prevent Child Abuse America (2001)
View Abstract
Tips for prospective and waiting foster parents, characteristics of foster children, responsibilities of foster parents, and challenges of parenting children who have been abused.

Re-Education of Foster and Adoptive Children: Prospects for a Healthy Life
Fahlberg (2003)
View Abstract
Designed for social workers, foster parents, and birth parents, this training DVD explores how foster and adoptive parents can reeducate foster and adopted youth to overcome negative behavioral and emotional patterns.

The Sexualized Child in Foster Care: A Guide for Foster Parents and Other Professionals
Hoyle (2000)
View Abstract
Explains typical sexual behavior, reviews the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse that might not have been previously disclosed to the foster family, and examines the emotional impact of treating sexually abused children on foster parents, social workers, and mental health professionals.