Vol. 3, No. 1 • Fall 1998
Do You Have the Information You Need? A Checklist
A checklist of the things you should know when a child is placed in your home
At a recent foster care and adoption training, a group of North Carolina’s child welfare social workers were asked to list the information foster parents needed in order to do their jobs well. The things they suggested are listed below, along with a few spaces to add items of your own. Keep this list handy!
- Names. The child’s full name and any nicknames he or she might use, as well as the names of the child’s parents, relatives, and siblings.
- Agency Contact Information. DSS worker name, contact information, and suggestions as to when to contact them.
- An explanation of why the child was removed from the birth parents and a description of how the child has been disciplined or hurt.
- Expected length of stay.
- How long child has been away from birth family.
- Medical information—history, medications, clinical diagnoses.
- School information.
- An assessment of the child’s language skills and ability to communicate needs.
- Religious and cultural beliefs/expectations.
- Description of any behavior problems the child may have.
- Information about the child’s involvement with school, metal health, doctors, etc.
- Interests, skills, activities.
- Favorite and hated foods.
- Sleeping and eating schedules.
- Fears (e.g., of dogs) and pet peeves.
- Clothing and dressing preferences/needs.
- Visitation schedule.
- Information about appointments and court reviews.
- Transportation issues—how will the child get where he or she needs to go?
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Copyright © 2000 Jordan Institute for Families