Parenting Resources for Foster Parents

Although all parents need support and guidance, foster parents and families face unique challenges when caring for foster children and youth in their homes. The resources in this section provide information on parenting children in foster care, outline ideas for working with the permanency team, and offer helpful links for additional support.

10 Resources for Foster Parents
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2018)
Provides 10 resources for foster parents and families to help them parent children in their care and navigate the child welfare system. Resources include a blog post on keeping siblings together, a website for raising grandchildren, a magazine written by parents who have experienced the child welfare system, and more.

Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
Reviews and rates programs that help manage the behavior of adolescents involved with child welfare for evidence-based practices. Behaviors targeted include general disruptive behaviors (e.g., arguing and back talk), delinquent behaviors (e.g., petty theft and vandalism), truancy, and running away from out-of-home placements.

Child Discipline Techniques for Foster or Adopted Children
Craft (2019)
Verywell Family
Offers 11 different ways to discipline children who have experienced trauma, including redirecting behavior, consulting a professional, discussing feelings, time in vs. time out, charting the child’s behavior, and more.

Families and Caregivers
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Examines the effect of trauma on children throughout development and provides resources to guide parents.

Foster Care
Sesame Street in Communities
Provides resources for providers and families to help children in out-of-home care cope with their separation from their parents, their placements in care, and reunification.

Foundations for Healthy Relationships With Foster Youth
Belian (2018)
National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families
Provide caregivers with ways to support foster care youth develop the critical relationship skills necessary for future stability, healthy decision making, and overall growth.

Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 329KB) Order (Free)
Year Published	2018

Provides guidance on how foster parents can help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. It describes the challenges youth face, how the adolescent brain affects them during this time, and Federal laws and programs. It also provides concrete ways they can partner with youth.

How to Say Goodbye to Children in Your Home (PDF - 1,137 KB)
Iowa Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Association (2015)
News and Views, Spring
Suggests several ways that a foster parent can prepare to have a child in their care get ready to leave their foster home. Suggestions include life books, engaging the child in the packing process, craft activities, and more.

Parenting a Child or Youth Who Has Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Availability	View Download (PDF - 292KB) Order (Free)
Disponibilidad	Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 359KB) Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published	2018

Discusses how you can help children and youth in your care by educating yourself about child sexual abuse, understanding the impact of the abuse, establishing guidelines for safety and privacy in your family, and seeking help if you need it. Reading this factsheet alone will not guarantee that you will know what to do in every circumstance, but you can use it as a resource for some of the potential challenges and rewards that lie ahead.

Parenting Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Abuse or Neglect

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 261KB) Order (Free)
Disponibilidad	Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 313KB) Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published	2018

Intended to help parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers better understand the challenges of caring for a child or youth who has experienced maltreatment and learn about available resources for support.

The Pros of Including Foster Children in Your Family Vacation Plans (PDF - 971 KB)
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (2015)
News From Your Peer Liaison
Discusses some of the benefits of taking foster children on family vacations, which can allow for time to bond as a family, create unique experiences and memories, allow children to experience family vacations as a normal part of growing up, let children know they are important enough to include, and allow children to be a part of the planning process.

Resources Especially for Foster or Adoptive Families
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Provides information and resources for foster or adoptive parents on raising or caring for a child with disabilities, including how to address and understand the child’s disability, a list of organizations focused on adoption and foster parenting, and information on finding support groups.

Social Media: Tips for Foster Parents and Caregivers

Series Title	Factsheets
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 255KB) Order (Free)
Year Published	2017

Describes the advantages and challenges foster parents may encounter when using social media in their role as foster parents. Issues that should be considered and tips for handling issues are also offered. Ways to guide youth in the safe use of social media are also discussed.

Supporting Your LGBTQ Youth: A Guide for Foster Parents

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 396KB) Order (Free)
Year Published	2013

Provides information for foster parents to help them learn about LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) youth in the child welfare system, the unique risks they face, and the important role that foster parents can play in reducing those risks. The factsheet outlines specific actions that foster parents can take to create a welcoming home for all youth in their care and to promote youths' health and well-being in the community. Also included are links to many resources for more information and support.

Tip Sheets for Parents and Caregivers (from 2019 Prevention Resource Guide)

Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 814KB)
Year Published	2019

This set includes 23 tip sheets written to help service providers offer guidance to parents and caregivers on specific issues, while supporting factors known to protect families from the risk of child abuse and neglect. Each easy-to-read factsheet focuses on concrete steps parents can take to care more effectively for their children and strengthen their family.

Tips for Resource Parents: How to Support a Child Who Has Been Separated From His/Her Parent(s) (PDF - 77 KB)
Family Link (2015)
Offers practical ways for foster and kinship caregivers to support children in their care.

Welcoming a Foster Child Into Your Home
Melcher (2016)
Adoption.net
Discusses the feelings and challenges foster parents experience during their first placement. The article also provides guidance to address questions foster parents may have for their caseworkers and provides suggestions on first steps they can make once their children arrive for their first nights.

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