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Related Resources: Foster Parents

Resources and information about recruiting, preparing, and supporting foster parents, including State and local examples.

Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents

Foster Parent Recruitment, Development, Support, and Retention: Strategies for the Twenty-First Century
Pasztor, McNitt, & McFadden (2005)
In Child Welfare for the Twenty-First Century: A Handbook of Practices, Policies, and Programs
View Abstract
Following a historical overview of foster parent recruitment and retention, this chapter provides a framework for an approach to finding and keeping foster parents.

Foster Parents' Perceptions of Factors That Promote or Inhibit Effective Fostering
Buehler, Cox, & Cuddeback
Qualitative Social Work, 2(1), 2003
View Abstract
The findings from this study highlight the need for foster parents to be skilled at creating family patterns that are characterized by clear, consistent routines and expectations as well as flexibility and tolerance.

Foster Parents: Who Are They?: Reality v. Perception (PDF - 438 KB)
Grimm & Darwall
Youth Law News, 26(3), 2005
Examines current research and information about foster parents—their age, education, employment, length of service, and motivations. Child abuse in foster families is also addressed.

Hitting the M.A.R.C.: Establishing Foster Care Minimum Adequate Rates for Children (PDF - 1330 KB)
Children's Rights, National Foster Parent Association, & University of Maryland School of Social Work (2007)
Reports state-by-state calculation of the cost of supporting children in foster care. Reveals widespread deficiencies in reimbursement rates and proposes new standard rates for States.

Influences on the Decision to Become or Not Become a Foster Parent (PDF - 331 KB)
Baum, Crase, & Crase
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 82(2), 2001
Provides information on foster children, motivations for foster parenting, successful foster family placements, foster parent recruitment, and foster parent training.

Lighting the Way: Attracting and Supporting Foster Families. Ten Broad Principles to Light the Way Through the Challenges of Promoting Stable Foster Placements
Casey Family Programs (2000)
View Abstract
Principles for agency and worker practice that encourage inclusive recruitment practices; training and support; appropriate matching of children with foster parents; teamwork among social workers, foster parents, and birth parents; emotional support; and the involvement of foster families in agency plans and policies.

NASW Practice Snapshot: Promising Practices in Foster Care for Recruiting and Retaining Resource Families
National Association of Social Workers (2005)
Summarizes findings of a study of public child welfare agencies that implemented small-scale changes to determine what worked in recruitment and retention of families.

Parent Recruitment and Training: A Crucial, Neglected Child Welfare Strategy (PDF – 526 KB)
Zappalla
Adoption Advocate, 6, 2007
Presents results of a study exploring the emphasis that States give foster and adoptive parent recruitment and training services by examining their allocation of Federal child welfare funding.

Parental and Familial Characteristics of Family Foster Care Applicants
Orme, Buehler, McSurdy, Rhodes, & Cox
Children and Youth Services Review, 26(3), 2004
View Abstract
Examined the psychosocial functioning of family foster care applicants in terms of parenting, family functioning, marital quality, psychological problems, and social support.

Parents Play a Vital Role in Recruitment and Retention
North American Council on Adoptable Children (2005)
View Abstract
Discusses how different communities are using resource parents for recruitment and retention of foster parents.

Recruitment, Training, and Support: The Essential Tools of Foster Care (PDF - 341 KB)
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2002)
Provides Family to Family program strategies for recruiting, training, and supporting foster care parents. Topics discussed include challenges of recruiting and retaining foster care parents, preservice training and assessment, and strategies for supporting foster families.

Retention and Recruitment of Foster Care Resource Families: Recommendations From a Veteran (PDF - 2873 KB)
Terpstra
Permanency Planning Today, 1(2), 2000
An experienced child welfare specialist recommends several techniques for supporting and retaining resource families.

A System in Transition: Examining Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention in the New Millennium
National Foster Parent Association (2000)
View Abstract
Strategies for agencies to increase the number of individuals who become foster parents and stay in the system.

Willingness to Foster Children With Emotional or Behavioral Problems
Cox, Orme, & Rhodes
Journal of Social Service Research, 29(4), 2003
View Abstract
A longitudinal study to determine the proportion of foster family applicants who are open to caring for a child with emotional or behavioral problems, the effect of foster family resources on the willingness to foster children with these difficulties, and the impact of foster parent willingness on the placement of a child in the home.

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State and local examples

Florida Foster Care Recruitment and Retention: Perspectives of Stakeholders on the Critical Factors Affecting Recruitment and Retention of Foster Parents (PDF - 306 KB)
Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies (2000)
Strategies to implement recommendations from foster parents, children, and caseworkers in Florida to increase the number of foster homes available for children.

Privatized Child Welfare Services: Foster Parents' Perspectives
Friesen
Child Welfare, 80(3), 2001
View Abstract
The impressions of foster parents following the privatization of family foster care services in Kansas.

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Updated on March 1, 2010