To assure that programs to enhance youths' skills and abilities to function responsibly are fully effective, they must include foster parents. It is unrealistic to expect foster parents to provide all the help that most youths in foster care need. Foster family support and training must be seen as one part of an integrated approach that provides all youths with a variety of resources but is specific to the needs of each youth. Materials are currently being developed that can help foster parents develop home learning programs for the youths in their care. These materials, together with appropriate support and training, will enable foster parents to assume professional responsibility for assuring that plans are implemented and that youths leaving foster care have what they need to emancipate successfully. 23 references. (Author abstract modified)