Abstract
Background
Young people in out-of-home care often have trauma histories that negatively impact their development and well-being. As a result, resource parents often face challenges meeting the needs of these youth, which can be addressed by ensuring access to effective trauma-informed training.
Objective
This qualitative study examined the impacts and helpfulness of a trauma-informed program (Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC)) designed for resource parents who care for a young person involved with child welfare.
Methods
Twenty resource parents from two child welfare agencies in Ontario, Canada participated in focus groups and interviews after completing the RPC program.
Results
Results of a thematic analysis indicated that, through use of relevant materials from the program, resource parents reported a better understanding of trauma reactions in their resource child. This improved understanding influenced their parenting approach when addressing their child’s behaviours through consideration of their underlying needs.
Conclusions
The findings can be used to support trauma-informed programming for resource parents within child welfare.
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Data Availability
The data analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Notes
While definitions of customary care may differ across provinces, in Ontario the term customary care refers to “the care and supervision of a child or youth of Indigenous descent by somebody who is not the child’s parent in accordance with the custom of the child’s band or native community” (Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, 2024).
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Materials preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Sarah Zak, Lauren Stenason and Elisa Romano. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Sarah Zak and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Zak, S., Stenason, L. & Romano, E. Caregiver Experiences with a Trauma-Informed Parenting Program: Examining the Resource Parent Curriculum. Journ Child Adol Trauma (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-024-00637-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-024-00637-2