Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, attendees will have learned appropriate steps to take to implement a smoke-free home and car policy with a foster care agency.
Abstract: California laws currently provide protection from secondhand smoke for students, workers, customers and even bar patrons. Children, however, in their homes may be vulnerable to exposure to secondhand smoke because there are no laws that prohibit smoking around children in their private residences. Foster children, in particular, often come from backgrounds of neglect and heath risks, and enter into homes where their health and safety is in the hands of foster parents.
Tobacco Education staff researched foster care agencies in Sacramento County and discovered that there are no laws prohibiting smoking in foster homes. Since the County Foster Care Agency is the largest in the county, collaboration was sought with the training coordinator and the President of the Foster Parent Association to survey their 476 licensed foster parents. First, surveys from similar projects were researched. A survey was then finalized and translated into Spanish to accommodate the 15% of foster parents that are Spanish-speaking. Surveys measured knowledge, attitudes and behavior surrounding secondhand smoke and its harm to children. Most important, foster parents were asked if they would support a policy that prohibited smoking in foster homes.
183 foster parents responded to the survey and received “Smoke-Free Thank you” gifts, including a key-chain, magnet, no-smoking sign and car shade. Preliminary analysis of the data shows that over 70% of foster parents would support a smoke-free policy. Development of an educational campaign is underway along with collaboration with key county individuals to ultimately implement a smoke-free homes/cars policy for foster homes.
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