Below are resources and information about factors that influence foster parents to continue or end their services, and strategies to help retain them.

As stated in the first document, perhaps the most important reasons for Foster Care Givers leaving are:

   >>lack of agency support
   >>poor communication with caseworkers
   >>lack of say in foster children's future
   >>difficulties with foster children's behavior

Needless to say, the role of Foster Families is just one piece of the puzzle for the care of Our Children. 

Myself and many others have stated that "Until those closest to the children..ie Natural Parents, Foster Care Givers, etc are heard, there will be no Reform."

Throughout the last decade, many of us have shared our stories and so many times we have found that the only "Bad Child" was the Agency itself.. Please note the original intent of establishing the agency was for these two primary reasons:
  >>Protecting Children
  >>Strengthening Families

The above phrases can be found in the heading from which the information below is listed.

One can only ask "Have these phrases been a conflict for one agency to administer? After all, for most cases, in the Care of Our Children it equates to Foster Care VS Family Preservation.

So do read some of the studies below.. And yes we are all responsible for our actions. But, each and everyone of us must "Become and Advocate for ourselves to Protect Our Families"

Please note, I am not asking for all of us to join hands and sing our favorite song together. Just go in the same direction by sharing, caring, and guidance of Our Children. Plus realizing that conflict within a Family is a natural occurrence and teaching responsibility is not necessarily a democratic process.

May you find Strength in your Higher Power,

GranPa Chuck

Keeper of the web files for http://nfpcar.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Research on Retaining Foster Families

• A Comparison of Family Foster Parents Who Quit, Consider Quitting, and Plan to Continue Fostering.

Rhodes, Orme, & Buehler
Social Service Review, 75(1), 2001
View Abstract
Examines why some foster families continue to foster while others do not. Reasons for quitting include lack of agency support, poor communication with caseworkers, lack of say in foster children's future, and difficulties with foster children's behavior.

• Concept-Mapping the Challenges Faced by Foster Parents

Brown & Calder
Children and Youth Services Review, 21(6), 1999
View Abstract
Results from a study that asked 49 foster parents to describe what would make them consider stopping foster parenting.

• Foster Carers: Why They Stay and Why They Leave

Sinclair, Gibbs, & Wilson (2004)
View Abstract
Who foster parents are, what diminishes or increases their stress, and what makes them likely to find foster care fulfilling.

• Foster Family Resources, Psychosocial Functioning, and Retention

Rhodes, Orme, Cox, & Buehler
Social Work Research, 27(3), 2003
View Abstract
Presents findings of a longitudinal study that examined the effect of family resources and psychosocial problems on retention.

• Foster Parent Unmet Needs: A Retention Factor

Evans & Terpstra (2001)
View Abstract
Results of agencies' surveys of foster families to identify unmet needs and reasons for leaving foster care service. These surveys are presented as an easy and cost-effective way to reveal information that can be used to recruit and retain foster parents.

• Hardiness of Foster Families and the Intent to Continue to Foster

Hendrix & Ford
Journal of Family Social Work, 7(2), 2003
View Abstract
Findings from a study that showed foster families who reported an intent to continue to foster scored higher on the Family Hardiness Index than foster families who reported they did not intend to continue.

• Lighting the Way: Attracting and Supporting Foster Families. Ten Broad Principles to Light the Way Through the Challenges of Promoting Stable Foster Placements

Casey Family Programs (2000)
View Abstract
Outlines ten principles for agency and worker practice and provides examples from nine exemplary programs.

• The National Survey of Current and Former Foster Parents

James Bell Associates & Westat (1993)
View Abstract
Describes a study that collected and analyzed data from surveys of current and former foster parents in 16 counties in 9 States to provide guidelines for future policy development, including recruitment and retention issues.
Retaining Foster Parents (PDF - 1220 KB)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2002)
A study that found States can prevent the loss of experienced parents by improving support for foster families and collecting information about the causes of resignations from service.

Understanding Foster Parenting: Using Administrative Data to Explore Retention. Final Report.
Author(s):	RTI International., U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Gibbs
Availability:	View Download (PDF - 528KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart
Year Published:	2005 - 68 pages
This study was designed to extend current understanding of foster parent retention by producing unbiased estimates of length of service and examining factors associated with licensure, provision of care, and length of service. The study used administrative data, applying data management and analytic methods that have been used to describe the length of stay for children in foster care. Principal research questions include: How have the characteristics of foster parents changed over time? How can variations in activity levels be described, and what foster parent characteristics are associated with varying activity levels? What is the typical length of service for ... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Related Reading: P.R.I.D.E. or beyond? (from Foster Parents Examiner.com blog) Quote from Part 3 of 5 : "..We are, that is, the Foster parents who faithfully serve their communities, their nation. Those who risk reputations, integrity, our economic well being. We are risking it all, they are not! where are the foster parents needs in the two trainings we have examined?.." Continue reading on Examiner.com Foster Parents; P.R.I.D.E. or beyond? Part 3 of 5. - National Foster Families | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/foster-families-in-national/foster-parents-p-r-i-d-e-or-beyond-part-3-of-5?CID=examiner_alerts_article#ixzz1f0dxyFFF