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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mike Brand, PhD, HPS, OUHSC, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73901, 404-271-2017 x46747, mbrand@ouhsc.edu and Keri Pierce, CSC, OUHSC, P.O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190.

Most states in the United States are experiencing an increasing demand for foster care homes. As the need for foster homes is increasing the needs of children being place in foster care is becoming more complex. This combination of factors places greater demands on foster parents. Between 2000 and 2001 the Oklahoma Foster Family Survey (OFFS) was conducted to assess the circumstances and needs of foster parents and children. The study provides useful insights into the differences between FFC and TFC foster parents. In 2000 all 1,100 FFC homes and 341 randomly selected TFC homes were sent the OFFS. Of these, 320 foster homes and 129 therapeutic foster homes responded to the survey. A total of 447 foster mothers and 237 foster fathers completed the survey. The average age of foster mothers is 46 and 48 years for fathers. Over 75% of the foster parents who responded are white and over 70% are married. Of the foster parents, over 30% have a high school and less than 10% have a college degree. Over 60% of foster fathers are employed full time, while 26% of foster mothers are employed full time and 29% are homemakers. The average income of respondents is less than $40,000.00 per year. Analysis reveals different patterns of satisfaction and motivation between FFC and TFC parents with some variation between foster parents and gender. Social workers, state administrators, and child welfare workers need to consider these differences in their planning and training.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify differences in FFC and TFC parents' motivation for fostering.
• Identify differences in FFC and TFC parents' satisfaction with fostering.
• Understand the motivational and satisfaction factors that differentially affect the recruitment and retention of FFC and TFC parents.

Keywords: Children, Social Work

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 72.0 kb)

Handout (.ppt format, 87.5 kb)

Handout (.ppt format, 99.0 kb)