Foster Care Manual: Forms

This information has been excerpted from materials specific to one state. Be sure to check with your Foster Care Specialist for details in your state, county, or province.

As a Foster Parent, handling difficult children or MR (mentally retarded) adults or children means that you have a lot of paper work to do. There is a form for almost everything. I have made a list of the ones that I use most often. In your area, the required forms will be different and each client (foster child or MR adult) has different needs and various other forms.

Some forms may be custom made just for your child, and you may be the one to make it (e.g. a behavior reward chart). Remember these forms are the ones that we use based upon the requirements of our agency and the difficulty of our children. You may use 50% of these forms or you may use even more. I thought that it would be helpful to see the type of forms that are generally required.

In each case, it will be your responsibility to have the forms completed. That may include having others (i.e. doctor or the biological parent) fill out parts. Then you must follow-up to ensure that it is sent to the Agency. A handy copy machine is very useful. I make copies of papers everyday. I keep a copy of every form filled out and put it the client’s book (a three ring note book with all papers and information you receive.)

Listed below is a sampling of the many forms:

• Time Table
• Reimbursement Form
• Medication Administration Record
• Corporal Punishment
• Inventory of Clothing
• Clothing Requirements
• Staff Physical
• Physician’s Written Instruction
• Discontinued Medication
• Client (Foster Child ) Annual Physical Examination
• Client Dental Examination
• Medication Record
• Medical, Dental, Counseling Log
• Visitation Record
• Incident or Unusual Incident Report
• Telephone List
• Fire Escape Map
• Fire Drill Record
• Smoke Detector Testing

Remember the purpose of these forms is to record all pertinent information on your child, home and you. Once you are filling out these forms, you will find it is easy. I keep a book of blank forms and make additional copies, as needed. This way I never run out.