NCJ Number
55961
Date Published
1978
Length
78 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL, DIRECTED AT AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS SEEKING TO LOCATE HIGH QUALITY FOSTER HOMES FOR DIVERTED JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, FURNISHES INFORMATION ON THE RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, AND TRAINING OF FOSTER PARENTS.
Abstract
METHODS FOR EFFECTIVELY RECRUITING FOSTER PARENTS INCLUDE DEFINING FOSTER PARENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (E.G., CAN PROVIDE A CHILD WITH CARE, NURTURE, AND GUIDANCE; SHOULD LIVE IN A SAFE, SANITARY AND SUFFICIENTLY LARGE HOME) AND CONVERTING THE DEFINITION INTO A JOB DESCRIPTION TO BE PUBLICIZED. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM AND TALK SHOW SPOTS, PRESS RELEASES, NEWSPAPER STORIES, AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PUBLICIZING THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND THE NEED FOR FOSTER PARENTS, ALTHOUGH OPEN HOUSES, PAMPHLETS, AND DIRECT TELEPHONE CAMPAIGNS CAN WORK. TARGETED RECRUITING EFFORTS AIMED AT SPECIFIC AREAS, INDIVIDUALS, AND GROUPS CAN ALSO BE USED. SCREENING POTENTIAL PARENTS CONSISTS OF AN INITIAL PHASE TO ASSEMBLE INFORMATION ON THE COUPLE AND AN INDEPTH STAGE FOR STUDYING THE APPLICANTS' PERSONAL CHARACTER, TYPE OF HOME, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL AND CARE CAPABILITIES. INFORMATION SHOULD BE GATHERED ON THE CHILDHOOD OF THE APPLICANTS, THEIR APPROACH TO PARENTING, AND THEIR FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS, AND THEIR HOME SHOULD BE VISITED. A GENERAL LIST OF POINTS USEFUL IN PREDICTING THE SUCCESS OF FOSTER PARENTS IS PROVIDED. AFTER FOSTER PARENTS ARE CHOSEN, THEY SHOULD COMPLETE A TRAINING COURSE. A SAMPLE TRAINING COURSE IS PRESENTED CONSISTING OF SIX SESSIONS ARRANGED AROUND THESE TOPICS: ORIENTATION, THE FOSTER CHILD, THE FOSTER CHILD'S NATURAL FAMILY, CHILD CARE GUIDELINES, AGENCY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS AND COURSE SUMMARY AND ASSESSMENT. THE COURSE AGENDA, DISCUSSION MATTER, SUGGESTED REFERENCE MATERIALS, AND ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN SAMPLE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SEVERAL STATE AGENCIES AND REFERENCES.