Understanding and Measuring the Cost of Foster Family Care.

This report presents an instrument for estimating the direct and indirect costs of raising foster children in different regions of the United States. It also contains three primary research studies on foster care delivery systems, an in-depth study of foster parents in Delaware, a summary of major differences and similarities in payment systems, in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and an analysis of foster parents' and foster care social workers' responses to questions related to foster care payment systems. Recommendations concerning the use of the instrument, data tables and other supportive materials and an annotated bibliography of related materials are provided. (Author/BRT)