Appendix 6000-1: Discharging Children from Substitute Care
CPS February 2017
When discharging a child from substitute care, the caseworker and caregiver must provide the receiving family with the materials and information needed to adequately care for the child. This applies whether the child has been in foster care or relative placement.
Copying and Filing Materials
Before providing materials to the receiving family, the caseworker must copy the materials and file them in the child’s record.
Maintaining a Checklist of Materials
Workers may use the following checklist to track each item provided to the receiving family. When the checklist is complete, the caseworker:
• notes the date in the space below; and
• files the list in the family’s record.
The items the family and child will need include but are not limited to the following (if an item does not apply to the child, the caseworker writes “NA” in the space provided):
__ The child’s original birth certificate
__ The child’s original Social Security card
__ Photographs
__ The child’s clothing and toys
__ A copy of the final court order
The family’s attorney should provide a copy, but the caseworker must confirm that the family has received it before closing the case.
__ The child’s school records, including the last report card
__ The child’s medical and dental reports, exams, and logs
__ Details on follow-up medical appointments that are scheduled or need to be scheduled
__ Details on follow-up dental appointments that are scheduled or need to be scheduled
__ The child’s record of immunizations
__ The child’s psychological evaluations (when appropriate)
__ The child’s original Medicaid card, which is valid until the end of the month that the child leaves care
Ensure that the new caregiver knows how to apply for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and if not help the caregiver do so.
__ The child’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application
Ensure that it has been completed or that the payee on any of the child’s benefits has been transferred to the caregiver, if appropriate.
__ The child’s medication
If the prescription is nearly empty, the caseworker or caregiver must provide a current refill to give the receiving family time to make an appointment with a physician to get the prescription refilled.
__ A Texas Health Steps brochure
Date above tasks completed: ____________________