The quality of evaluations of foster parent training: An empirical review

Festinger, Trudy; Baker, Amy J. L.

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.10.009

Cited by 58 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Both of these programs are designed to help foster parents determine if fostering is right for them (gatekeeping) rather than skill acquisition (Soloman, Niec, & Schoonover, ). Evaluations of both of these foster parent trainings are rare, and the results of the few evaluations produced mixed results (Festinger & Baker, ). Cooley and Petren () found that foster parents desired trainings that cover “real life examples” that centre on family management (such as meals, chores, and sleep routines).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High-quality foster parent training has been correlated with retention of foster parent licences, longer placement lengths, and foster parent satisfaction (Chipungu & Bent-Goodley, 2004 (Soloman, Niec, & Schoonover, 2017). Evaluations of both of these foster parent trainings are rare, and the results of the few evaluations produced mixed results (Festinger & Baker, 2013). Cooley and Petren (2011) found that foster parents desired trainings that cover 2004) and have requested more time with experienced peers or "veteran" foster parents (Cooley & Petren, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Finding a routine that works: A mixed methods study of foster parents

Helton

Schreiber

Wiley

et al. 2017

Child & Family Social Work

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Although it is well established that daily routines are important for family well‐being, very little research has been done on how foster parents establish and integrate new foster children into family routines. We used a mixed‐methods, cross‐sectional design, focused on qualitative results to explore how foster parents utilize routines. Twenty‐three foster parents were recruited from a private child welfare agency in a large city in the United States. Surveys were administered to obtain demographic information, overall home atmosphere, and the importance and prevalence of different routines, including mealtimes and sleep schedules. Nine foster parents received a semistructured interview with open‐ended questions. Foster parents reported that routines such as bedtimes, mealtimes, chores, and homework were essential to family well‐being. Because both parents and children had to adjust to living together in an intimate family environment, it was important to establish routines quickly. Foster parents modified routines depending on their child's needs. Along with typical family routines, foster parents reported additional tasks, such as visits with biological parents, meetings with caseworkers, and trainings that affected their family schedule. Results imply that training foster care workers and foster parents about routines can engender stability and emotional belonging for children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding a routine that works: A mixed methods study of foster parents

Helton

Schreiber

Wiley

et al. 2017

Child & Family Social Work

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“…Otherwise, mainstream foster parent training seem to have no or weak effects on children's problem behaviour (Nash & Flynn 2009;Everson-Hock et al 2012;Festinger & Baker 2013). Evaluated interventions targeting behavioural issues, delivered directly to adolescents in foster care, are few and far in between.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Placement breakdowns in long‐term foster care – a regional Swedish study

Vinnerljung

Sallnäs

Berlin

2014

Child & Family Social Work

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A B S T R AC TWe used a regional sample of children in long-term foster care to investigate the prevalence of placement breakdown in adolescence, and to assess risk factors/risk markers for placement disruption. The sample consisted of all 136 foster children in the region, born 1980-1992, who on their 12th birthday had been in the same foster family for at least 4 years. They were followed in case files until date of disruption or their 18th birthday. Data on conditions before and during placement were retrieved from case files, and analysed in biand multivariate models. Results showed that one in four placements broke down in adolescence. The median child who experienced a breakdown was 14 years old, and had been in the same foster home for more than 10 years. Prominent risk factors were (i) being placed after age 2 and (ii) having a birth sibling in the same foster home. We also uncovered strong risk markers that can be viewed as precursors of placement disruption. When the child or the foster parents repeatedly over time expressed dissatisfaction with the placement, this ended with a placement breakdown in 60% of cases. Implications for practice are discussed.

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“…This appears to be particularly true for externalizing behaviors such as disruptive, aggressive, or dangerous behaviors in the home seen as threatening to others (Newton, Litrownik, & Landsverk, 2000). Despite foster parent training intended to prepare parents to handle the complex problems of these children and, therefore, to minimize disruptions (Gibbs, 2005;Redding et al, 2000), rigorous evaluations are few, and results are mixed for the most widely used foster parent training programs-MAPP and PRIDE (Christenson & McMurtry, 2007;Festinger & Baker, 2013;Puddy & Jackson, 2003). This suggests a need for a better understanding of how best to transition children into care and into new homes and to explore more nuanced supports to help foster parents address children's difficult behavior (Buehler et al, 2006).…”

Section: Background and Significancementioning

confidence: 97%

Foster Parent Strategies to Support the Functional Adaptation of Foster Youth

Jones

Rittner

Affronti³

2016

Journal of Public Child Welfare

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Individual interviews and focus groups with 35 experienced foster parents explored strategies that facilitate the functional adaptation of children transitioning into their care. Findings from this qualitative study suggest functional adaptation is enhanced by unconditional commitment by foster parents, "claiming" behaviors of foster children and parents, establishment of routines, support of birth family relationships, and advocacy for the youth across systems. Implications of this study support the vital role that foster parents have in helping children adapt to placement, and indicate that agencies can provide increased support for foster parents to better meet the needs of foster youth. ARTICLE HISTORY

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The quality of evaluations of foster parent training: An empirical review

Cited by 58 publications

References 38 publications

Finding a routine that works: A mixed methods study of foster parents

Finding a routine that works: A mixed methods study of foster parents

Placement breakdowns in long‐term foster care – a regional Swedish study

Foster Parent Strategies to Support the Functional Adaptation of Foster Youth

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