Improving foster parent engagement: using qualitative methods to guide tailoring of evidence-based engagement strategies.

This qualitative study examined applicability and need for tailoring of an evidence-based engagement intervention, combined with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, for foster parents. Qualitative methods were used, including individual interviews with participating foster parents (N = 7), review of interview findings with an independent group of foster parents (N = 5), and review of the combined foster parent findings by child welfare caseworkers (N = 5), an important stakeholder group. The engagement intervention, with its primary focus on perceptual barriers (e.g., past experiences with mental health), was relevant for the foster care population. However, the study identified areas for tailoring to better recognize and address the unique needs and situation of foster parents as substitute caregivers. Perceptually focused engagement interventions may have broad applicability to a range of populations, including foster parents, with the potential for improving caregiver participation in children's mental health services.