613 - Enhancing the Knowledge of Foster Parents Caring for Children from Therapeutic Foster Care

Poster Number: 613
Publication Number: 613.2229

Background: Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) programs are designed to serve children and youth who require a higher level of care and clinical support than traditional foster care models. Children and youth with a history of foster care placement and developmental disabilities have more complex physical and mental health care needs compared to their peers without developmental disabilities.

Objective: What are the specific challenges and knowledge gaps experienced by therapeutic foster parents in providing appropriate care for foster children with disabilities (DD)?

Design/Methods: A Resource and Education Needs (REN) assessment survey was developed following a systematic literature review of behavior and developmental challenges identified in children in foster care with DD. The REN assessment was administered anonymously to foster parents and social workers in the Institute TFC program. The Institutional Review Board reviewed the study. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the survey results. Qualitative analysis was used to identify themes from survey results.

Results: We received 16 parent survey responses from the 55 TFC parents and four of the five TFC social workers. Over a third (37.5%) of the TFC parents were knowledgeable about the impact of trauma on children's development, behaviors, and emotions. The majority (62.5%) of TFC parents stated that aggression, violence, hyperactivity, and impulsivity were top behavior challenges, and they desired strategies for effective communication and behavior management to address the emotional and social needs of foster children with DD. The top challenges faced by TFC parents caring for children with DD were accessing specialized services within the school system (56.3%), advocating for appropriate educational accommodations (43.8%), and communicating effectively with teachers and school staff (37.5%). All TFC social workers responded that they felt TFC parents typically encountered emotional dysregulation and hyperactivity among foster children. TFC social workers' responses aligned with foster parents' responses that endorsed the need for additional support and knowledge about communication and behavior management to address social and emotional needs.

Conclusion(s): The needs assessment survey helped the TFC program recognize the strengths, challenges, and knowledge gaps experienced by TFC parents caring for foster children with DD. The survey responses will allow the creation of a resource guide and education aligned with knowledge and services resources that TFC parents believed would benefit their care of foster children with DD.