This tool is about recruitment, training, and support of foster families. But it can also be applied to kinship and adoptive families, for preparation for one kind of family can and should include planning for the others. This is called combined recruitment.

What Foster Parents Want Their Agencies to Know: “A startling statistic: Almost half of foster parents quit within a year of their first placement. Twenty to 25 percent of foster parents quit each year and another quarter express uncertainty about continuing.” — Casey Foster Family Assessment Training Workbook

Why should we treat foster, adoptive, and kinship families like gold? Because without them, life is harder for the families and children we serve, for individual workers, and for our agencies. Without them, we have a much more difficult time keeping siblings together and placing children in their communities. In truth, good foster, adoptive, and kinship families are worth more than gold—they’re priceless.