ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of birth parents and caregivers vis-a-vis child welfare agencies and the courts to better understand the unique circumstances and needs of foster families and birth families. It offers a profile of foster parents and birth parents to contextualize some of their caregiving challenges, needs, resources, caregiving practices, and home environments. The demands of daily care for foster children are extremely high, regardless of whether these children reside with birth or foster parents. However, some argue that home study may not be suitable for uncovering the special talents and important weaknesses of some foster parents. Others argue that minimum standards based on safety criteria are insufficient, given the significant emotional and behavioural challenges and needs of the children in care and compelling state interest in securing foster children's well-being. Importantly, the literature on effects of foster care on family life offers glimpses of hope as it does the tribulations of care.
