Foster parents' views/experiences of caring for foster children with behavior problems

With the large number of children in foster care, it is important to understand the need of retaining and recruiting new foster parents. This study examined the views and experiences of foster parents who care for children in foster care with behavior problems, explored foster parents' relations with biological parents and child welfare services, and explored foster parents' view of mental health professionals who work with children with behavior problems. Using a qualitative research methodology, the researcher conducted face-to-face interviews with 14 foster parents from one foster family agency in the Los Angeles County. Findings revealed that many times it is difficult for foster parents to know how to care for children with challenging behavior problems. This study also revealed that the majority of foster parents have positive relations with child welfare workers and challenging relationships with children's biological parents. Lastly, this study revealed that foster parents have a difficult time understanding the therapeutic process of mental health professionals who provide services to the children. These results can help social workers and policy makers in providing support and implement better training to foster parents in order to reduce multiple placements of children in foster care