Assessing and Promoting Quality in Kin and Nonkin Foster Care

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive look at the elements that indicate quality of care in kinship and nonrelated foster homes, highlighting the philosophical reasons for providing quality care and the theoretical underpinnings of kinship care. The sparse literature on quality of care in foster homes is then augmented with indicators of quality in nonfoster homes, identifying a series of domains of quality. By articulating these domains we intend to frame an understanding of quality of care, to provide a guide for constructing a quality assessment tool for kinship and nonrelated foster homes, and to promote quality improvement in these vital areas.