An Exploratory Study of the Impact of COVID-19 on Foster Parenting

Background and Purpose: As the COVID-19 virus began to spread in the United States of America, states’ child welfare administrators and policymakers responded differently. Some states implemented more restrictive policies, some less or did not require many restrictions (i.e., stay at home orders or masking in public spaces).

Methods: Video-based online focus groups with foster parents in four states utilized a consensual qualitative approach to identify themes relating to foster parenting during COVID-19 and understand how policies related to COVID-19 restrictions affected their caregiving decisions.

Results: Themes that emerged included pathways to foster parenting pre-pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on both foster parents, children in care, and foster parents’ ability to understand the broader importance of their caregiving. While participants in all of the states reported similar experiences relating to the need for resources and support, and the challenge of managing both work and remote education for their children, those in states with restrictive policies were more likely to report pandemic-specific concerns including a lack of agency communication or case progress, the mental health toll on foster children in their care, and their concerns about accepting new placements.

Conclusions and Implications: Significant preparation and policy work needed to ensure child welfare systems can better provide level of support needed during future public health outbreaks. Pre-emptive planning for family visitation and child care should be determined in advance of future shutdowns. Demonstrates extraordinary efforts and views of foster parents who have served often unrecognized as COVID-19 frontline workers.