Placement

Placement starter checklist

A first-days checklist for foster and kinship placements: papers, care, school, and comfort.

You will not finish this in a day. Use it as a list you can return to. Ask your caseworker which items apply. Kinship placements outside foster care may not have the same paperwork.

As soon as you can

• Child’s full name, date of birth, and what they want to be called.
• Allergies, medications, and the next dose.
• Doctor, dentist, and therapist names, if known.
• Who has legal authority to consent to care.
• A comfort item, a meal they will eat, and a place to sleep.
• Your own backup adult, in case you need a break.

Papers to ask about

• Placement or caregiving agreement, and any court order.
• Medicaid or other insurance card.
• School or daycare records and the contact there.
• Clothing allowance or startup funds, and how to claim them.
• Visit or family-time schedule.
• Emergency contacts, including after-hours caseworker line.

First three days

• Tell the child, in simple words, who you are and what happens next.
• Keep the first days quiet if they are overwhelmed.
• Write down questions instead of trying to remember them.
• Ask when the next hearing, visit, or home check is.
• Find one kinship navigator or support line for your state.

Questions I still need answered: ______________________________________

Updated 2026-10-10.