A review of training programs for providers of foster family care to mentally retarded persons.

The training needs of foster care providers serving mentally retarded persons have been acknowledged for some time. This review of specific training programs demonstrates that a variety of excellent materials and strategies for meeting these needs are now available. A number of important tasks remain. First, existing training programs need to be implemented more widely. Second, new programs and training materials need to be developed to address needs not adequately met by existing programs. Finally, there is a need to conduct systematic evaluations of care provider training on a more regular basis. The results of these evaluations must then be used to guide refinements in future training efforts. This is an essential step if these programs are to be effective in meeting their goal of improving the quality of care offered to mentally retarded persons by foster family care providers.