Results of the third annual survey of Washington state foster parents and relative caregivers are now available below. Over 1200 respondents were interviewed about their experiences as foster parents and relative caregivers during the last half of 2008. The main purpose of the survey is to obtain information that is helpful to all areas of the Braam Settlement related to caregivers’ work. In many areas, survey results are being used by the Braam Panel to assess compliance with Braam outcomes. Overall results of the survey provide DCFS (Children’s Administration) and the Braam Panel with a wealth of information to better understand foster parents’ experiences and concerns, and to develop strategies to improve training and support provided to foster parents.

In order to ensure confidentiality, the survey was conducted by Washington State University's Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). All caregiver information remains confidential with SESRC and no personally identifying information is being shared with anyone else, including the Braam Panel and Children’s Administration. Participants’ responses have been combined so that individual answers cannot be identified in the results. In developing the survey design, questionnaire, and procedures, the SESRC consulted with the Braam Oversight Panel, Children’s Administration (CA) staff, Braam plaintiffs’ attorneys, the Washington State Foster Parents Association, and foster parent liaisons.

This is the third year of the survey, which is being conducted annually. Results from the first year and second year of the survey can be found below. In addition a new report compiling the results of the 2007, 2008, and 2009 surveys of foster parents and relative caregivers, and comparing the results of the comparable questions from each survey is also available:

Comparison of 2007, 2008, 2009 Foster Parent Survey Outcomes

Third Annual Foster Parent Survey Results- September 2009

Survey results have been compiled into several different reports:

2009 Braam Outcomes Report 09-044
This report presents an introduction to the purpose of the survey, provides an overview of the survey methods, and describes the calculation of nine specific Braam Panel outcomes. The report presents the outcomes results for all licensed and unlicensed caregivers and for the six DSHS regions.

Appendix to the 2009 Braam Outcomes Report
The appendix to the outcomes report includes the detailed data tables and survey results that were used in the calculation of the nine specific Braam outcomes.

2009 SESRC Data Report 09-040
This report is a compilation of the survey methods and survey results and includes a copy of the telephone interview questionnaire, the letter mailed to foster parents and relative caregivers, and other survey materials. This report includes the final sample disposition, and the results for every question in the survey for licensed and unlicensed caregivers.

Appendix to the 2009 SESRC Data Report
The appendix to the survey data report includes a frequency tabulation of all survey questions for all survey respondents. There are also frequency tabulations for all survey questions for licensed caregivers, and for unlicensed caregivers.

Second Annual Foster Parent Survey Results- September 2008

2008 Braam Outcomes Report 08-045

Appendix to the 2008 Braam Outcomes Report

2008 SESRC Data Report 08-044

Appendix to the 2008 SESRC Data Report

First Annual Foster Parent Survey Results- September 2007

2007 Braam Benchmark Report 07-054

Appendix to the 2007 Benchmark Report

2007 SESRC Data Report 07-048

Appendix to the 2007 SESRC Data Report 07-048

Children's Administration Explanation of Non-Working Numbers
This January 2008 memo on behalf of Children's Administration provides detailed explanation regarding the non-responsive phone numbers for foster parents and relative care providers in the 2007 foster parent survey.