Barriers to Recruiting Native American Foster Homes in Urban Areas

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It was the intention of this study to gain a better understanding of the current practice of, and barriers specific to, recruiting Native American foster homes in urban areas. It was predicted that themes in barriers would include historical, cultural, and bureaucratic factors. The qualitative design was chosen for this research due to the very limited literature on the topic. Using a semi-structured interview guide, the researchers interviewed approximately 10 individuals who were currently employed within a foster family agency, county agency, or partner agency servicing the Los Angeles or San Francisco Bay Areas and whose responsibility it was to recruit foster homes. The research exposed a serious deficiency in the recruitment of Native American foster homes throughout all agencies interviewed and identified several obstacles faced by Native Americans who attempt to become foster parents. The results from this study have the potential to influence changes in policy and guide future recruitment efforts.