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Enhanced Services and Stipends for Foster Parents: Effects on Retention Rates and Outcomes for Children

NCJ Number
140003
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 71 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1992) Pages: 387-401
Author(s)
P Chamberlain; S Moreland; K Reid
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Seventy-two children from three Oregon counties who were placed in foster care between 1988 and 1990 and their foster parents participated in a study designed to measure the impact of a $70 per month supplement to the foster parents' normal reimbursement and the provision of increased training and support to the foster parents.
Abstract
Twelve of the 72 participating families (16.6 percent) discontinued providing foster care during the 2-year project, a significantly lower figure than the overall 40 percent statewide dropout rate. Each of the two groups that were provided with either additional money only or money plus training and support had substantially fewer dropouts than the assessment-only control group. A combination of additional stipends and support/training resulted in a dropout rate that was nearly two-thirds less than that observed in the control group. In regard to child behavior, only the behavior of the control group subjects got slightly worse over time. Foster mothers in the enhanced support and training group showed definite improvement in their behavior management skills. 2 figures, 2 tables, and 15 references

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