Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Family Foster Care: The Case of Foster Parents in Adama Town
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Date
2014-10
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice of foster
care among foster parents in Adama Town. In order to achieve the objective of the study,
mainly qualitative design was employed. The tools for primary data collection were indepth
interview, focus group discussion, observation checklist, key informant interview,
and questionnaire. Accordingly, 21 female parents were involved in the in-depth
interview and, three groups of focus group discussants also participated and key
informant interviews have contacted in order to get ample information. Data gathered
from the parents using qualitative design was analyzed by cross-case analysis creating
meaning from the generated data. The findings on the study show that there are
limitations in the family foster care process starting from recruitment of families. The
recruitment process is time taking, and have the potential to cause some unintended
outcomes. The knowledge of fostering by foster parents have also some limitations in
addressing child lose and ambiguity, and child‘s social and emotional problems. The
findings also indicate that foster parents have a negative feeling towards the birth
families, child reunification, and permanency which questioned the practice of parents in
achieving the best interest of the child. Therefore, foster families need some interventions
by social workers and policy makers in order to enhance their knowledge and attitude
towards foster care through the empowerment of families and adjustment of some legal
frameworks
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Social Work