Dimensions of high quality foster care: Parenting Plus

Foster care is an international phenomenon yet relatively little is known about the caregivers who offer support to children or the features of their daily care. In particular, scarce data are available to describe the characteristics of high quality caregivers or effective care. This study includes an international sample of U.S. (n=87) and Norwegian (n=54) foster parents selected for providing high quality care to children. The study is designed to identify whether effective caregiving mirrors strong parenting among typical parents or whether a set of additional skills is required to parent foster children responsively. Some of the principle features of quality caregiving for children are described particularly in the domains of family integration, relationships with biological parents, and support for children's special needs. Findings from the study have implications for foster parent recruitment, training, and support. ► This study draws on an international comparison between two countries: USA & Norway. ► Effective foster parents use strategies recommended in the parenting literature. ► “Parenting Plus” attends to issues of family integration. ► “Parenting Plus” is responsiveness to the birth family. ► “Parenting Plus” supports children's special needs.