Resources and information about assessing potential foster families' ability to provide care for children according to State laws and policies.
Casey Foster Applicant Inventory (CFAI) User's Manual (PDF - 4080 KB)
Buehler, Orme, Cuddeback, Le Prohn, & Cox (2004, 2nd ed.)
Introduces the CFAI, explains how to score and administer it, and answers frequently asked questions.
Foster Family Assessments
Casey Family Programs
Free tools for agency workers and foster parents to help with the foster family assessment process.
The Foster Parent Potential Scale
Orme, Buehler, McSurdy, Rhodes, & Cox (2003)
View Abstract
Describes the findings of field tests of the Foster Parent Potential Scale (FPPS), a new measure of the potential of foster family applicants to provide quality foster care.
Identifying and Verifying the Safe Foster Home: A Study and Assessment Method
ACTION for Child Protection (2007)
View Abstract and Document
Includes ratings to evaluate foster homes for appropriate child placement based on 14 indicators that address child, adult, and family functioning, family history, family support and resources, parenting practices, motivation and commitment, and more.
Kinship Care: Model of Practice (PDF)
Child Welfare League of America
Provides best practice guidelines for child welfare professionals working with kinship families.
A Retrospective Support Assessment Study of Foster and Relative Care Providers (PDF - 290 KB)
Children's Research Center (2005)
A study to develop an assessment to classify foster and relative providers by the likelihood that they will provide inadequate care to a child, using data collected from the case files of 560 foster and relative providers.