Foster parent inclusion and collaboration in case planning and implementation: Perspective of Florida foster parents and child welfare workers

The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of foster parents and child welfare workers from Florida on foster parent inclusion and collaboration in case planning and implementation. A total of 689 foster parents and 551 child welfare workers in Florida (n = 1249) were included in this study. Participants completed a quantitative online survey about the involvement of and collaboration with foster parents in case planning and court processes. The results of the study indicated significant differences between foster parent and case worker perspectives in the areas of case planning and court participation. While foster parents believed partnership planning and collaboration was important, both foster parents and child welfare professionals agreed that foster parents were not involved in case planning. Likewise, both foster parents and child welfare professionals noted some challenges with timely notification to foster parents of upcoming court hearings. Implications related to including foster parents more directly and intentionally in the case planning processes are discussed.