SUGGESTED PRE-PLACEMENT AND TIME-OF-PLACEMENT QUESTIONS

Below is a list of questions to ask before agreeing to the placement of a child into your home. There
will be times and circumstances when a worker has limited information about the child they need to
place. When information is available, however, it will help you determine if the child will be a good fit
for your family and your parenting abilities. This list can be a helpful resource for obtaining
information. You might want to have a copy readily available to refer to when you get a call about a
possible placement.
PRE-PLACEMENT QUESTIONS:
Child’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Gender: ________________ Age: ________________ Ethnicity:___________________________
When would the child need to be placed in my home: ___________________________________
Reason for being placed in foster care: _______________________________________________
Is this their first placement? Yes No
If moving from another foster home, what is the reason? ______________________________
Where are the biological parents living? ______________________________________________
What contact will be allowed with the parents? ________________________________________
Does the child have siblings? Yes No
Names of siblings: Where they are living:
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
What is the visitation plan with siblings and parents? ___________________________________
What services are involved with this child and family? __________________________________
What will be my role in these services? _______________________________________________
Will I be expected to provide transportation? Yes No
If so, where to and how often? __________________________________________________
What is the child’s legal status? _____________________________________________________
Is this a concurrent placement (is our home being considered as a possible adoptive resource
for this child)? Yes No
How long do you anticipate the child will be with us? ___________________________________
Does the child have any medical concerns? ___________________________________________
Does the child have any allergies? ___________________________________________________
Is the child on medication? Yes No
If so, what medication and what was it prescribed for? ________________________________
Does the child see a mental health professional? Yes No
If so, who and how often? ______________________________________________________
What are the child’s strengths, interests and activities? _________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Does the child have behavioral issues or other special needs? ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Does the child do any of the following?
swear hit bite kick run away
soil pants wet bed set fires sexually act out use drugs
destroy property fight behave suicidally instigate trouble steal
Is the child sexually active? Yes No Are they are on birth control? Yes No
Are they pregnant? Yes No
Has the child been sexually abused by a parent, caregiver or other person? Yes No
If yes, please give further information: __________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Has the child made an allegation of abuse against a previous caregiver? Yes No
Has the child’s parents made an allegation of abuse against a previous caregiver? Yes No
Where does the child attend school? _________________________ What grade? ___________
Are there any school issues? _______________________________________________________
Does the child have a religious preference? ___________________________________________
What are your expectations of me as a foster parent in caring for this child? ________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Is there anything else I need to know in order to make an informed decision about whether I
can parent this child?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
TIME-OF-PLACEMENT QUESTIONS:
Gathering as much of the above information as possible will help you decide if you should accept a
particular placement. It’s important to remember that you have the right to say no to any placement
that you do not feel is a good fit for your family and the children you are currently parenting, if it’s a
child who has behaviors you feel unable to cope with, or if it’s just not a good time for you to add
another child to your family. If you do agree to the placement, you will also want to obtain the
following information at the time of placement or as soon thereafter as it is available.
Child’s Full Name: ____________________________________ Date of birth: ________________
Child’s Worker: ___________________________________________________________________
Worker’s phone: _______________________ Worker’s E-mail: ___________________________
What should I do in case of an emergency? ___________________________________________
What’s the after hours number? ______________________ On-call number? _______________
Who is the worker’s supervisor? _______________________ Phone: ______________________
Is there anyone the child should not have contact with? _________________________________
Does the child need clothing? Yes No If yes, what size? ______________________________
Is there a clothing allowance available? _______________________________________________
Does the child have a medical card? _________________________________________________
Who is the child’s doctor? ___________________________ Last exam? ____________________
Who is the child’s dentist? ___________________________ Last exam? ____________________
Does the child have any upcoming medical/dental/therapy appointments? _________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Who is the child’s guardian ad-litem / attorney? ________________________________________
When is the next court hearing? _____________________________________________________
If the child will be changing schools, who is responsible for enrolling the child? ____________
What is the child’s understand of why he/she is in foster care? ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any suggestions to help the child make a successful transition to our home?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Is there any other information I need to know about this child? ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association
6864 NE 14th Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
800-277-8145 / www.ifapa.org / ifapa@ifapa.org