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Evidence-Based Practice in Foster Parent Training and Support ...

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EBP <strong>in</strong> <strong>Foster</strong> <strong>Parent</strong> Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> <strong>Support</strong>F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs: All directors reported that the agency <strong>in</strong>formed foster parents of previoussexual abuse prior to placement, but only half of foster parents <strong>in</strong> the sampleadmitted knowledge of the children’s abusive experiences prior to placement. Allrespondents agreed that foster parents of sexually abused children neededspecialized tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> education. Agency staff <strong>in</strong>dicated that they providedadequate parent tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> education to foster parents; foster parents noted theservices were not adequate for their needs. More than half of the foster parents <strong>in</strong>the sample <strong>in</strong>dicated the need for more tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. <strong>Foster</strong> parents expressed need forongo<strong>in</strong>g support <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g throughout the entire placement period. Resultssuggest that more collaboration is needed between foster parents <strong>and</strong> agencyworkers <strong>in</strong> agency processes.Rhodes, K. W., Orme, J. G., & Buehler, C.(2001). A comparison of family fosterparents who quit, consider quitt<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong>plan to cont<strong>in</strong>ue foster<strong>in</strong>g. Social ServiceReview, 75, 84-114.Population: Family-based foster careLimitations: The manner <strong>in</strong> which the questionnaires were written allowed thepossibility of multiple <strong>in</strong>terpretations of questions.Method: This descriptive study exam<strong>in</strong>ed why some foster families cont<strong>in</strong>ue tofoster whereas others do not. Data for the analysis were from the National Surveyof Current <strong>and</strong> Former <strong>Foster</strong> <strong>Parent</strong>s (NSC&FFP), which was conducted <strong>in</strong> 1991.Only current foster homes started by 1985 are exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the study. Of the totalsample of 1,048 current foster homes, 336 were approved <strong>in</strong> 1985 or after. Of these317 completed the long <strong>in</strong>terview form (94%). Of the sample of 267 current fosterfamilies was further divided <strong>in</strong>to parents who planned to cont<strong>in</strong>ue foster<strong>in</strong>g familieswas further divided <strong>in</strong>to parents who planned to cont<strong>in</strong>ue foster<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> parents whoplanned to quit. Of the sample of 265 former foster homes, 144 completed the long<strong>in</strong>terview form (54%).F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs: Most foster parents cited more than one reason for discont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g fostercare. Common reasons <strong>in</strong>cluded lack of agency support, poor communication withworkers, <strong>and</strong> children’s behaviors. The f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs from compar<strong>in</strong>g former fosterparents with those who planned to quit soon suggest that several variables aremore critical to current parents who are plann<strong>in</strong>g to quit than to foster parents whoalready quit. Frequent reasons <strong>in</strong>cluded, health problems, full time employment,<strong>in</strong>adequate reimbursement, lack of day care, not hav<strong>in</strong>g a say <strong>in</strong> child’s future,see<strong>in</strong>g children leave, <strong>and</strong> problems with child’s biological families. Less than onethird of foster parents reported hav<strong>in</strong>g enough <strong>in</strong>formation about the legal aspectsCenter for Advanced Studies <strong>in</strong> Child Welfare (CASCW)University of M<strong>in</strong>nesota School of Social WorkContact: Krist<strong>in</strong>e N. Piescher, Ph.D. kpiesche@umn.edu 131

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