This Resource Parent Handbook is a comprehensive guide that is meant to be accessible, understandable, reliable, and helpful for resource parents. Although we consistently refer to resource parents in the Handbook, this information is intended to be useful for any adult who has responsibility for the care and supervision of children and youth in the District of Columbia’s child welfare system - foster and adoptive parents, guardians, kinship caregivers, and congregate care providers. As child welfare practice evolves and polices and information are updated, so too will this Handbook be updated. Chapters will be revised, new chapters will be added, and new appendices will be attached. The latest version of the handbook and any relevant policies will always be available online here.