Current status and evidence base of training for foster and treatment foster parents

Abstract

Nearly every state in the nation requires training for foster parents and treatment foster parents. However, very little is known about the effectiveness of this required training. The current paper provides a comprehensive research synthesis on training of caregivers for youth in these out-of-home settings. The review shows potentially promising directions; however, there is little empirical support for the most widely-used curricula of foster parent training. Scattered research on a wide variety of training protocols and approaches provides little empirical evidence for any specific program. Additionally, research on treatment foster care shows promising and positive results, but has paid little attention to requirements or variations in training for treatment foster parents. Evidence-based programs from other areas (e.g., treatment foster care, parent training) have begun to be tested with foster parents with positive results. The article includes highlights of promising current directions and a discussion of challenges and possibilities for advancing the evidence base on this key topic.