Evaluation of Foster Parent Training Programs: A Critical Review

Abstract

Foster parents have special needs which must be addressed to retain them in the child welfare system. Several of these needs may be addressed within their foster parent training experience; however, little research is available to determine the effectiveness of these training programs. What little research is available is frought with methodological limitations, calling into question the reliability, validity, or generalizability of study results. This article provides a comprehensive review of 17 studies, published between 1980 and 2007, investigating foster parent training programs. The studies reviewed include 1 investigation relying solely on case records, 1 case study, and 15 group studies (5 using no control group and 10 utilizing a control group). This article points out research deficiencies and outlines several suggestions for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• child welfare
• foster parents
• parent training