These questions will not fit every placement you get called on. When you get a call on a child that has been in the system you should get most of this information. I have experienced that if you do not ask the questions, for the most part you are just given basic information. You need to know as much information as possible to make the decision whether you can provide care for this child. It is better to know what you are jumping into, than not realizing it until you are screaming for help. We all have our limits on what we can deal with, so be honest and keep them in mind when called for a placement.

Siblings - Are they looking to place siblings together? If not why (could be a red flag, meaning that there could be abuse by siblings - there should a major reason why they do not want them placed together -Find out why)? Can you foster the entire sibling group or just one? If the siblings are not placed together you will need to think of sibling visits and helping them stay in contact with their siblings.

Type of placement and plan - Will this be a few weeks until they can find family members to provide care? Is this a long term placement that is looking for adoption, or until the bio parents have had a chance to work their plan? Ask them what the plan is for the child, placement with relatives, bio parents working plan, adoption, or looking for a placement to care for a sibling group?

Age, race, school (Special Ed.) - What is the child’s age, race and what grade on they in? You may want to ask if they receive Special Education Services.

Continued....


"There will be days which are great and everything goes as planned. There will be other days when we are not sure why we got out of bed. Regardless of which day it is, we can be assured that God takes care of our daily needs."
Emilie Barnes