Research for this report was funded by a grant from Serex, Inc. of Tenafly, NJ.

Greater professionalization of foster parenting has been one of the ways in which the substitute care system has attempted to respond to the growing shortages of foster homes in the 1980's. The pilot study being reported here was designed to explore foster parents' views of the parenting and work aspects of their role in the context of professionalization. The study also elicited recommendations from foster parents for improving the substitute care system which regulates their activities in this role.