ARH Mental Health Research Grant Recipient, A/Professor Dave Pasalich’s research delivered and evaluated an online support program for foster carers called ‘eConnect for Foster Parents’ (eConnect-FP).

eConnect-FP is a nine-week group program led by two trained facilitators that aims to improve children’s mental health by strengthening the relationship between foster carers and the children in their care.

The research explored two key questions: whether foster care agencies could be successfully trained to deliver the program, and whether the program benefited foster families.

Partnerships were established with two foster care agencies in NSW to support the delivery of the program. Ten staff members from these agencies received training to facilitate eConnect-FP, with all reporting that the training was very helpful. Following this, five staff members delivered eConnect-FP groups for foster carers while receiving support from an expert member of the research team. They successfully delivered the program and received certification, enabling them to run the program independently in the future.

The study also examined how the program supported foster carers. Through surveys and interviews, carers reported that eConnect-FP was helpful in many ways. They felt safe, respected and comfortable within the group setting, gained a better understanding of the children in their care, and learned new ways to support them. Many carers also valued the opportunity to connect with and learn from other foster carers, helping them feel less alone in their experiences.

Overall, the findings showed that foster care agencies can successfully deliver the eConnect-FP program and that it provides meaningful benefits for foster carers and the children they support. The two participating agencies have expressed a strong interest in continuing to run the program beyond the life of the project, highlighting its potential to make a lasting difference in children’s lives.

Media contact: [email protected]       First published 24th June 2026

Graphic acknowledgement: Freepik.com