2013 Foster Parent Survey

Between September 2012 and August 2013, DSHS surveyed 1,398 foster parents who had a child in care on the 15th day of August 2012, November 2012, February 2013 or May 2013. These foster parents were asked about their satisfaction with support, training, and information provided by Children’s Administration and private agencies contracted by the Administration to provide services to foster parents. They were also asked to offer recommendations for change. The majority of foster parents expressed satisfaction with the support and training they receive, and with the social workers assigned to their cases. In regard to support, some indicated they want more complete and timely information about their foster children’s cases; more resources, such as respite and timely reimbursements; more flexible processes; and more social workers hired. In regard to training, some suggested a need for more convenient training locations and schedules; more training on specific topics; more non-traditional training formats such as online training and foster parent panels; and more choice about which trainings they take.