Reflection of foster parents on caring for foster and adopted children and their suggestions to teachers

摘要

In this research project we investigated the process of adoption of foster children by foster parents and the foster parents' ideas of how to help foster children going through the process of adoption or those who have been adopted. We sent questionnaires to 200 foster parents living in the Cleveland area, but just 23 foster parents replied. Results of our research showed that 70% of foster parents chose the foster-to-adopt option because they wanted to adopt children, 65% of the foster parents stated that the school was helpful, and 50% informed their child's school about the adoption at the beginning of the school year. Regretfully, the majority of the foster parents reported that they did not receive from the school any materials related to adoption. In addition, 75% of foster parents believe that teachers should schedule special lessons and events during Adoption Month.