This report describes foster parent policies and regulations in all 50 states. The research was conducted by the University of Maryland, School of Social Work, and published in April 2017. The researchers gathered information through online research and through a survey of child welfare agencies. The major areas covered by the report include:
- the presence and adequacy of a foster parent handbook;
- insurance for foster parents and youth (including liability, homeowners, and auto insurance);
- reimbursements (clothing, transportation, health and dental); sibling placements and visitation;
- foster parent training requirements;
- hotline and/or point of contact for the foster parent;
- foster child education planning;
- respite care;
- policies around technology for foster youth; and
- regulations/guidelines around the placement of special populations (LGBTQI, immigrant children, children who were victims of sex trafficking, and pregnant/parenting foster youth)
See here for a copy of the report: National Survey of Foster Home Policies.