Re: foster care consent for research

["Juanita N. Baker" <bakerj@xxxxxxx>]

>I am designing a study that involves working with young foster children.
>Does
>anyone who has worked with this (or a similar population) have any ideas
>about
>how to get informed consent from the biological parent - particularly when
>parents are difficult to find?
>
>Thank you,
>
>Staci Peckham

The State, (Department of Children and Families or whatever it is called in
your state) can give consent as they have guardianship, parents aren't
legal consenters if their children are in foster care. However, it would be
caring as well as politically prudent to have the state at least send both
biological, adopted or potentially legal parents your letter explaining the
study and informing them of their child's participation and asking them to
contact you if they have any questions or concerns or wish their child not
to participate.

Juanita