September 23, 2009

2009 Survey of Foster Parents and Caregivers in Washington State

John Tarnai, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Social & Economic Sciences Research Center, and Bruce Austin, Study Director, Social & Economic Sciences Research Center, describe and analyze results from a conducted survey. The SESRC designed and conducted their third annual survey of foster parents and relative caregivers in Washington State for the DSHS Children's Administration. This third wave of the survey asked foster parents about their experiences during the last half of 2008. The main purpose of the survey was to obtain information that is helpful to all areas of the Braam Settlement Agreement related to caregivers? work with foster children and associated outcomes and action steps. The foster parent survey addresses all areas of the Braam Settlement Agreement: placement stability, mental health, foster parent training and information, unsafe and inappropriate placements, sibling separation, and services to adolescents.