Measurement of potential for foster parenthood

The purpose of this study was to construct a scale designed to express, quantify, and summarize evaluations by caseworkers of applicants for foster parenthood. The sample consisted of 472 foster families who were served by 236 caseworkers in 91 agencies in the United States and Canada. The procedure to develop the instrument are described; the distribution of scores, reliability, and validity of the measure are reported; and possible uses of the scale are suggested. The final form includes 54 items organized into nine factors: health, employment and income, time, opportunities for cultural and intellectual development, opportunities for religious and spiritual development, marriage, ability and motivation for foster parenthood, flexibility, and working with the agency and the child's own parents.