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I'm developing a foster care application for fostering and adoption agencies, and I'm about 35-40% complete.

I'm looking for someone who has experience of fostering agencies or organizations whose brain I can pick to improve my application.

I'm after help with what data to record, types of reports, etc. I already have quite a few screens that capture data, but I want to make sure that I cover areas that only experienced foster care workers would know.

Thanks,

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I know this very well from a UK perspective. Contact me at bswootton AT gmail DOT com if you'd like to discuss. – Benjamin Wootton Jan 6 '10 at 1:31
I've sent you an email Benjamin. I don't know why OnStartups never informed me that you had posted a message. I only stumbled upon your reply today. – SmartCompanySoftware Feb 13 '10 at 10:33

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... I want to make sure that I cover areas that only experienced foster care workers would know.

So why don't you ask experienced foster care workers?

Better than asking here, no? I'm sure you could find some near you. Many foster care workers do their craft for the love of the job and the impact on society and on the children (who would do it for the money?). In other words, they would happily volunteer their time to be a part of your project.

EDIT: Re-reading my answer I realize it may be a bit terse, please don't take offence. It's just that I think that if you really want to ask foster care workers, then you should ask foster care workers.

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It's a fair comment, and I've tried this, but no luck so far. I've tried to contact 5 agencies and I've not heard from one of them. Either they are not interested or I need to find another approach. Maybe they don't get what I'm after. My reason for asking here is that people come here voluntarily to help. I thought it might be worth a shot or at least find a person or agency who they can direct me to. – SmartCompanySoftware Dec 15 '09 at 3:20
Ok, got it... Why not contact individuals instead of agencies? Agencies might be afraid of lawsuits (go figure); or the people you are talking to see no value in what you are doing (bureaucrats). Anyway, I would suggest to talk to individuals, and certainly talk to any university/college professors you can find. Another angle: Ask a foster parent community for foster workers that care and would probably help you. A google search turned up socialworkchat.org, you might directly find someone there. Bottom line: There are many things you could try. – Gabriel Magana Dec 15 '09 at 4:55
Also, I've known social workers that are very idealistic and energized early in their career and become disenchanted later; you might try aiming at younger people in the field. – Gabriel Magana Dec 15 '09 at 4:56
I've checked out the link (socialworkchat.org) and this lead me to a number of other links. I have found some good resources now, that I can follow up on. Thanks for your help. See I knew this was the right place to ask ;-) – SmartCompanySoftware Dec 15 '09 at 5:48
Glad I could help a little, good luck! – Gabriel Magana Dec 15 '09 at 11:08
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I can't imagine even thinking about going into this market. You will have insane amounts of compliance issues - you are dealing with records of minors who have some unusual circumstances and there is a LOT of legal interest in this area.

You'll need some good attorneys and some fantastic security and privacy policies for your data...

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Whilst what you say is true, there is a genuine need for software in foster care agencies. They don't have the legal binds that government agencies have because they are private companies. I have research a couple of competitors and the software they sell is woeful. Agencies are buying software from these companies and my goal is to provide a better alternative. – SmartCompanySoftware Feb 13 '10 at 10:31

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