Sharing in Permanence (SHIP) is designed for foster parents who have fostered at least one child and want to improve their foster parenting skills based on that experience. Through SHIP's 30-hour group process, foster parents closely examine the challenges of working with children and families and the child welfare system. Parents build on their collective experiences to improve their teamwork and partnership skills as well as their parenting skills. SHIP is based on Child Welfare Institute's program Group Preparation and Selection of Foster and/or Adoptive Families (GPS/MAPP). For agencies which use MAPP/GPS to prepare and select prospective foster and adoptive families but also have experienced foster families who have not had the benefit of completing MAPP/GPS, SHIP provides the means to bring the experienced parents to the same level of knowledge and skills as those who have been MAPP/GPS-prepared. For agencies which do not currently use MAPP/GPS, SHIP provides in-service training for foster parents that will develop their capabilities in 10 key skill areas needed for successful foster parenting. SHIP provides agencies with a practical, effective resource for the continuing professional development and licensing of foster parents. Child Welfare Institute offers a five-day leader certification training program for agencies which have not previously implemented the MAPP/GPS program. Child Welfare Institute also has a three-day training program for preparing MAPP/GPS-certified leaders to conduct SHIP with foster parent groups. This option is for agencies which have implemented MAPP/GPS. >