In this section you will find State and local examples of promising practices for recruiting foster and adoptive families.
Extraordinary Foster Parents in Los Angeles County: Child Welfare Initiative's Implementation of Best Practices in Recruiting and Retaining New Therapeutic Foster Parents (PDF - 1,445 KB)
Child Welfare Initiative (2015)
Discusses the findings of a study that explores the motivations of extraordinary foster parents in Los Angeles County.
Foster and Adoptive Parent Recruitment Retention Plan (PDF - 371 KB)
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (2014)
Highlights Nebraska's proposed ideas, strategies, activities, and coordination efforts related to the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive parents.
Guide to Supporting Foster Parents (PDF - 709 KB)
Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (2013)
Provides a guide that concisely outlines the support needs of foster parents as identified through current research and data obtained from previous Wisconsin initiatives.
Idaho Statewide Assessment of Resource Parent Recruitment and Retention (PDF - 180 KB)
Idaho Department of Health & Welfare—Family and Community Services (2013)
Focuses on strengths, barriers, and ideas to improve outcomes, such as stability for children in foster care, timely reunification, foster care re-entries, and retaining trained, qualified, and experienced foster homes.
North Dakota Foster and Adoptive Parent Diligent Recruitment and Retention Plan (PDF - 503 KB)
North Dakota Department of Human Services (2014)
Addresses both general and targeted recruitment activities.
Research Summary: Supporting, Retaining & Recruiting Resource Families (PDF - 1,597 KB)
Public Child Welfare Training Academy, San Diego State University School of Social Work (2015)
Highlights promising practices around recruitment, including lessons learned from recruiting resource families for Washington State’s children in care.
Revitalizing Recruitment: Practical Strategies for Finding and Keeping Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Homes (PDF - 10,107 KB)
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (2015)
Helps professionals navigate the challenges of finding foster and adoptive families equipped to meet the needs of children and youth entering foster care.
State of Nevada Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Diligent Recruitment Plan (PDF - 384 KB)
Nevada Department of Children and Family Services (2014)
Reflects the activities that will be conducted over the next 5 years to ensure that there are foster and adoptive homes that meet the needs of the infants, children, youth, and young adults served by Nevada's child welfare agencies.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services Bureau for Children and Families Recruitment and Retention Plan 2015 (PDF - 200 KB)
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services (2014)
Points out tasks related to foster and adoptive parent licensing, recruitment, and retention, including diligent recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families who reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the children in the State who need foster and adoptive homes.