The development of parenting skills in foster parent training

This study examined the effectiveness of the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting/Group Selection and Participation of Foster and/or Adoptive Families (MAPP/GPS) foster parent training program in teaching potential foster parents parenting skills. Parents were tested on three measures assessing goals and objectives of the training program as well as parenting skills necessary to address the demanding behaviors of foster children. In comparison to a control group of foster parents whom had not participated in any training program, the results indicated that the MAPP/GPS program did not adequately prepare foster parents according to its own program-identified goals nor did it adequately prepare foster parents to manage behavior problems in foster children. Trained foster parents improved in only four of 12 program-identified goals and in only three of 22 basic parenting skills. The MAPP/GPS program serves more as a decision tool to assist potential foster parents in making the decision to foster rather than prepare them to manage behavior problems in foster children. Implications and improvements for foster parent training are discussed.