This exploratory, qualitative study evaluated the impact of the Critical Ongoing Resource Family Education Teen Edition (CORE-Teen) post-licensure foster parent training curriculum designed to support foster/kinship caregivers caring for youth ages 12–20 years in the foster care system. A pilot study of the curriculum was implemented in three states (Florida, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee). Five semi-structured focus groups (three groups received CORE Teen training and the other two did not) were conducted with a total of 61 foster parents to explore the differences in parenting knowledge and practices among foster parents trained in CORE Teen versus those who were not. A thematic content analysis of the transcripts from the focus groups revealed three themes: (1) understanding what is considered normal teen behavior; (2) understanding and managing teen trauma and mental health; and (3) recommendations for building foster parents’ skills to prepare for their role. Overall, CORE Teen-trained foster/kinship caregivers seemed to have deeper insight into normal teen behaviors, as well as how trauma and mental health challenges can underlie challenging behaviors. CORE Teen foster/kinship caregivers also seemed more satisfied with the training they had received to prepare them for caring for teens. The CORE Teen training curriculum offers promise for building the unique skills that foster/kinship caregivers need in order to effectively care for older youth in the foster care system.

这项探索性的定性研究评估了关键持续资源家庭教育青少年版 (CORE-Teen) 许可后寄养父母培训课程的影响，该课程旨在支持寄养/亲属照顾者在寄养系统中照顾 12-20 岁的青少年。该课程的试点研究在三个州（佛罗里达州、宾夕法尼亚州和田纳西州）实施。与总共 61 名养父母进行了五个半结构化焦点小组（三组接受了 CORE 青少年培训，另外两组没有），以探索接受过 CORE 青少年培训的养父母与未接受过 CORE 青少年培训的养父母在育儿知识和实践方面的差异. 对焦点小组成绩单的主题内容分析揭示了三个主题：（1）了解什么被认为是正常的青少年行为；(2) 了解和管理青少年的创伤和心理健康；(3) 建议培养养父母的技能，为他们的角色做准备。总体而言，受过 CORE 青少年培训的寄养/亲属照顾者似乎对正常的青少年行为以及创伤和心理健康挑战如何成为挑战行为的基础有更深入的了解。CORE 青少年寄养/亲属关系看护者似乎也对他们接受的为照顾青少年做好准备的培训更满意。CORE 青少年培训课程为培养寄养/亲属照顾者所需的独特技能提供了希望，以便在寄养系统中有效地照顾年长的青少年。受过 CORE 青少年培训的寄养/亲属照顾者似乎对正常的青少年行为以及创伤和心理健康挑战如何成为挑战行为的基础有更深入的了解。CORE 青少年寄养/亲属关系看护者似乎也对他们接受的为照顾青少年做好准备的培训更满意。CORE 青少年培训课程为培养寄养/亲属照顾者所需的独特技能提供了希望，以便在寄养系统中有效地照顾年长的青少年。受过 CORE 青少年培训的寄养/亲属照顾者似乎对正常的青少年行为以及创伤和心理健康挑战如何成为挑战行为的基础有更深入的了解。CORE 青少年寄养/亲属关系看护者似乎也对他们接受的为照顾青少年做好准备的培训更满意。CORE 青少年培训课程为培养寄养/亲属照顾者所需的独特技能提供了希望，以便在寄养系统中有效地照顾年长的青少年。