Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Child-Placing Agencies and CPS policy require verified basic foster family units to complete 20 hours of additional in-service training on a yearly basis. Non-group foster family units providing therapeutic care must complete at least 50 hours of annual in-service training. TDFPS also requires at least the primary caretaker in the foster family to be certified in infant/child CPR and first aid training prior to home certification and must be updated as required to maintain certification. Training requirements are similar for group foster homes with the following exception: Training requirements extend to all foster parents in-group homes.

Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Child-Placing Agencies or TDFPS policy do not require in-service training for approved adoptive parents. Approved adoptive parents can access additional training through post adoption services, the Council on Adoptable Children (COAC), and TDFPS.

Approved foster and adoptive families are assigned workers who help support the family. The foster home development worker's support responsibilities include:

- Presentation of children for possible placement;

- Helping the family maintain minimum standard and policy requirements;

- Provide support and training based on the families strengths and needs;

- Maintain regular telephone contact and visiting families in their homes at least quarterly;

- Provide support to foster parents in the event of an investigation;

- Ensure foster families are members of the foster care team;

- Help foster parents obtain needed services;

- Be involved in supportive services such as leading support groups, working on statewide committees, attending foster parent association meetings, and implementing foster parent training; and

- Provide support and training to foster families in the area of developing and maintaining a mentoring relationship with birth parents.

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