Parenting Resources for Foster Parents

The resources in this section provide information on parenting children in foster care, outline ideas for working together with the permanency team, and offer helpful links for additional support.

Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (2017)
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.

Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 487KB) Order (Free)
Year Published	2013

Provides foster parents with guidance on how to help youth and emerging adults build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. The first section provides background information on some of the unique challenges that youth in foster care face as they navigate their teenage years, and it includes information on brain development in young adults and programs that can help youth transition successfully to adulthood. The second part includes eight tip sheets that provide information and resources for foster parents on specific topics—such as money management, health care, and employment—so that they can better help youth prepare for independence.

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 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 - 382KB) Order (Free)
Disponibilidad	Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 697KB) Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published	2013

Discusses how foster and adoptive parents can help children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse. It provides basic information about sexual abuse and links to other information so that parents can educate themselves about the topic. The factsheet suggests ways to establish guidelines for safety and privacy in the family, and it offers suggestions about when to seek professional help and where to find such help.

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.

Social Media: Tips for Foster Parents and Caregivers

Series Title	Factsheets
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 255KB)
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)
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.

Tips and Suggestions: Foster and Adoptive Parents to Help Youth Thrive (PDF - 2,530 KB)
Ramsey County Community Human Services, Permanent Families Recruitment Project (2013)
Shares tips and suggestions for foster and adoptive parents that were developed based on feedback from focus groups with 17 youth (ages 12–22) from Ramsey County, MN, to improve the licensing, training, and placement process.

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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