Vera Institute of Justice

Overview

This 1983 guide was prepared as part of Vera's Foster Care Child Protection Project. It is addressed primarily to foster care social workers, is designed for use as a text for training them, and serves as a reference source for all practitioners. Part One describes the nature of foster child maltreatment and practices that place foster children at risk of maltreatment. Part Two reviews issues of child protection in each aspect of the placement process—homefinding, certification, training of foster parents, matching, ongoing casework, and recertification—and presents guidelines for improving the quality of foster care. The final chapter presents a review of law, regulations, and guidelines concerning reporting and investigation of foster child maltreatment.