A review of foster home policies and regulations in the United States designed to support foster homes families

ABSTRACT

Foster parents are required to learn and to navigate a range of policies and regulations in order to make decisions that are in the best interest of the foster child. This paper reviews four policies and regulations (foster parent handbooks, pre-service and in-service training, respite care, and information on points of contact) intended to support family foster homes and examines whether these policies and regulations are available and accessible to the foster parents. Data were collected using a mixed methods research design, including an online search and a survey for child welfare administrators. Findings and implications for policy and practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Foster care
• handbooks
• training
• respite care
• point of contact

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Merav Jedwab

Merav Jedwab, MSW, Ph.D. is a child welfare researcher at the University of Maryland, School of Social Work.

Anusha Chatterjee

Anusha Chatterjee, MSW, Ph.D. is an Adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland, School of Social Work.

Terry V. Shaw

Terry V. Shaw, MSW, MPH, Ph.D. is the Director of the Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children and an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Social Work.