A Hermeneutic Phenomenology
Revolving Doors
A research study exploring the lived experiences of foster parents navigating placement instability in Northeast Ohio.
Principal Investigator: Carla Wilson·cwilson66@liberty.edu
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jerra Dooley·jdooley1@liberty.edu
School of Behavioral Sciences
Department of Community Care and Counseling, Liberty University
About the study
Why this research matters
Foster care placement instability — the movement of children between multiple foster homes — is one of the most pressing challenges in the child welfare system. Yet the voices of foster parents, who witness and navigate this instability firsthand, are rarely centered in the research.
This study seeks to change that. By listening deeply to foster parents who have experienced placement disruptions, we aim to surface insights that can inform policy, improve agency practice, and better support the families at the heart of the foster care system.
“Every placement disruption is a door that revolves — and behind it stands a foster parent carrying the weight of that moment.”
Who can participate
Is this study for you?
This study is open to licensed foster parents in Northeast Ohio who meet all of the following criteria:
How it works
What participation looks like
Participating in this study involves three straightforward steps, completed at your own pace.
Review & consent
Read the informed consent form and sign electronically to confirm your agreement to participate.
Complete a short survey
Answer a brief demographic questionnaire (10–15 minutes) so we can understand who our participants are.
Join a virtual interview
Participate in a recorded Microsoft Teams interview (60–90 minutes) where you share your experiences in your own words.
Your story matters.
We want to hear it.
If you are a foster parent in Northeast Ohio who has navigated placement disruptions, your perspective could help shape the future of foster care support. Participation is completely voluntary and confidential.