2017 Foster Parent Survey: DSHS Foster Parents Speak

This report describes the results of the sixth annual DSHS Foster Parent Survey. Between September 2016 and August 2017, 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. There was a statistically significant decline in the percentage of foster parents who agreed that social workers always or usually listen to their input (78%, compared to 81% in 2016). Responses about the quality of training continue to be very positive – 87% agreed that their training was somewhat adequate or more than adequate. Foster parents continue to emphasize that training is enhanced by the participation of experienced foster parents and opportunities to interact with one another.