2016 Foster Parent Survey: DSHS Foster Parents Speak

This report describes the results of the fifth annual DSHS Foster Parent Survey. Between September 2015 and August 2016, DSHS surveyed 1,350 foster parents about their satisfaction with the support and training provided by Children’s Administration and private agencies. The majority of foster parents continue to express satisfaction with the support and training they receive, and with the social workers assigned to their cases. Compared to 2015, there was a statistically significant increase in positive responses about the overall quality of support, and there were non-significant increases on four other measures. Responses about the quality of training continue to be very positive. As in previous years, foster parents indicated that they would like greater inclusion in meetings and decisions, faster and more flexible processes, consistent policies, and more complete and timely information about their foster children’s cases. Some foster parents also suggested needs for updated training materials, childcare options for training, more convenient training locations and schedules and more interaction with experienced foster parents in training.