“Caring for the Caregiver: Preventing Compassion Fatigue in Foster Parenting”
Understanding the Challenges and Support Systems That Help Foster Parents Thrive
Foster care is a term that doesn't bring positive thoughts to mind. I think that so many people think negatively about the foster care system because of the horror stories about children placed in foster care, some of the behaviors exhibited, foster parents being cruel, abusive, and neglectful, and people doing it for money. These are just some of the negative things that are associated with foster care. As a child placement agency (CPA), while training foster parents, I always said, “It takes a special person to be a foster parent. I’m not that special; that’s why I’m not a foster parent.” I have worked with some really special foster parents over the years. I have witnessed foster parents impacting the lives of children when everyone else gave up on that child. So, my statement that it takes a special person is true to my heart.
In Florida, prospective foster parents must complete 21 hours of an approved state curriculum. Also, depending on the level of foster care, the training is more intensive.
Becoming a foster parent requires multiple steps, and training is just one layer. Here is a simple outline of the main steps to becoming a foster parent:
- Attend an orientation session about foster care.
- Complete the required training hours and any additional classes, if needed.
- Submit an application and provide necessary documentation.
- Pass background screenings, including fingerprinting and checks for all household members.
- Complete a home study and home inspection to make sure the environment is safe for children.
- Demonstrate financial stability and provide references.
- Once approved, match with a child or children in need of a foster home.
Now that I have discussed what it takes to become a foster parent, I want to talk about secondary trauma and compassion fatigue among foster parents. Secondary trauma and compassion fatigue are emotional duress and distress that develop after a person has been indirectly exposed to another person’s traumatic experience (Figley, 1995; Sprang et al., 2019).
Symptoms are seen physically: foster parents are overly tired and can't seem to get enough rest; behaviorally, foster parents become negative. They are often irritable and lose interest; psychologically, sometimes they develop mental health issues. Foster parents are exposed to their foster children's trauma, and repeated exposure to traumatic stories, behaviors, and emotional experiences can negatively affect caregivers (Carew, 2016; Teculeasa et al., 2022). I am not talking about one or two children but about caring for individuals with trauma for multiple years. Then, compassion for helping individuals can diminish as empathy decreases.
Research suggests that compassion fatigue is associated with foster parent burnout and may negatively influence the fostering experience (Parker, 2009; Dowdy-Hazlett et al., 2024). There are practical ways that foster parents can protect themselves. Simple self-care routines, regular breaks, mindfulness or relaxation exercises, and time for joyful activities can help. Remember, taking care of yourself means you can better care for the children in your home, and asking for help is not a weakness.
Foster parent retention remains a significant challenge nationwide, with many agencies reporting difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified foster homes (Bell et al., 2023; Gibbs et al., 2005). I think this issue is increasing because of the demands children bring and the behavioral problems at home and school. Finding support is difficult, especially due to people not being willing to go through the background clearances, which has limited foster parent support and contributed to high turnover among child welfare staff. Studies have identified inadequate support, limited respite care, and strained relationships with child welfare agencies as factors associated with foster parent turnover (Bell et al., 2023; Dowdy-Hazlett & Clark, 2023).
However, support networks are available to help foster parents feel less isolated and better equipped. Many communities have local foster parent associations or support groups where foster parents can share experiences and advice. National organizations like the National Foster Parent Association and Foster Parent Support Group USA offer online communities, resources, and advocacy. Some child placement agencies have their own support programs, giving new foster parents a chance to connect with more experienced families. Your local child placement agency or licensing specialist can also be an important point of contact for connecting you with local events, trainings, peer support, and emergency help. I encourage foster parents to reach out to these networks, as connecting with others who understand your challenges can make a big difference.
Speaking with a licensed foster parent, she stated, “If you want to retain foster parents, you have to genuinely care for the people doing the caring. Don't only call when you need a placement, a signature, transportation, or something from us. Check in because you genuinely want to know how we and the children are doing. Ask what we need before we reach the breaking point.”
What are some of the things that can decrease secondary trauma and compassion fatigue in foster parents? Offering more support is a starting point. Many foster parents do not receive a break. Research has found that respite care is associated with reduced caregiver stress, improved family stability, and greater caregiver satisfaction (Madden et al., 2016). Offering more respite care to foster homes would help alleviate the behaviors that we are seeing in our foster parents.
Respite care provides short-term relief by allowing foster parents to arrange for a trusted and licensed caregiver to look after their foster child for a brief period, ranging from a few hours to several days. If foster parents need this type of break, they can usually request respite care through their child placement agency or caseworker. The process typically involves notifying your agency in advance, completing any required paperwork, and matching with an approved respite provider. By using respite care, foster parents can recharge and return to their caregiving role with renewed energy and patience. Just as we focus on positive reinforcement with our children, why not do the same for foster parents? Being recognized for doing a good job, even during stressful periods, goes a long way.
Resources for Foster Parents
Foster parents do not have to navigate the challenges of caregiving alone. Several national organizations provide education, advocacy, training, peer support, and community resources for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Resources include:
- National Foster Parent Association (NFPA): https://nfpaonline.org
- National Foster Parent Association Training Institute (NFPATI): https://nfpati.org
- AdoptUSKids: https://www.adoptuskids.org
- Foster the Family: https://www.fosterthefamily.org
These organizations offer valuable information, training opportunities, support networks, and caregiver resources designed to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children in care.
Join the Conversation
Foster parenting can be both rewarding and challenging. By sharing our experiences, we can learn from one another and build stronger support systems for caregivers and children alike. I invite foster parents, child welfare professionals, educators, and mental health providers to share their thoughts, experiences, and recommendations for preventing compassion fatigue and supporting caregiver well-being.
Leave a comment or connect with us at facebook.com/FamilyUnityLLC. Together, we can continue the conversation and strengthen support for foster families in our communities.
References
Carew, N. M. (2016). Secondary traumatic stress and the foster parenting experience: Exploring factors associated with the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress in foster parents caring for children who have experienced trauma (Doctoral dissertation, Michigan State University).
Dowdy-Hazlett, T., Cooley, M., Clark, S., Englehardt, E., & Barney, R. (2024). Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among foster parents. Child Welfare.
Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. Brunner/Mazel.
Madden, E. E., Chanmugam, A., McRoy, R. G., Kaufman, L., Ayers-Lopez, S., Boo, M., & Ledesma, K. J. (2016). The impact of formal and informal respite care on foster, adoptive, and kinship parents caring for children involved in the child welfare system. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 33(6), 523–534.
Teculeasa, F., Golu, F., & Gorbănescu, A. (2023). What mediates the link between foster parents' sensitivity towards child posttraumatic stress symptoms and job satisfaction? The role of compassion fatigue and foster parent-child relationship. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 16(2), 309–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00513-x
Bell, A., Falkingham, N., & Lajeunesse, K. (2023). Foster parent retention. Research and Evaluation in Child, Youth and Family Services, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.14288/recyfs.v5i1.199164
