How do I know if the child presented is the right child?

• Consider the child's needs. (Involves more than just asking the questions, but really listening and observing the child.)
• You need to ask questions.
• Find out about the child's family and medical background. Include reviewing the child's record and signing the Child's Medical and Family Background Report 13-41. (DSHS form - P. A. may use their own form)
• Check with your own doctor or other medical professional regarding the child's medical history. This will help you have a better understanding of the child's medical needs and prognosis.
• Find out about the child's history in foster care?
• Find out about the child's birth family?
• Work towards gaining an understanding of the child. Who is the child really?
• Ask to speak with current and past foster care providers.
• Ask to have an opportunity to observe the child in the child's own environment or one that the child will be most comfortable in.
• Ask to speak with daycare, educational and current medical providers.
• Get to know the child's routines.
• What are your expectations for the child? Could this child meet those expectations?
• Get to know the child once you meet them. What are things that the child likes? Dislikes? What makes the child happy? What makes the child sad? What scares the child? Talk with the child?
• What is the child's relationship with bio-parents?
• What are the child's developmental, educational, and emotional issues?
• Are there any behavioral issues?
• Peer relations, are they good? Bad?
• Is the child ADD/ADHD? Enuresis/encopretic?
• Attachment? Has the child ever attached to anyone?
  In utero drug exposure?
• What are the child's personal characteristics?
• What are some of his/her favorite things? - Sports oriented, book reader
• What are the child's strengths?
• What do you like about the child?
• What will the child bring to a family?
• What is the child looking for in a family?
• Are there siblings to take into consideration?
• How does the child get along with other children?
• Can the child be with older/younger siblings?
• What sort of parent does the child need?
• What about pets?
• Religious issues? Is going to church important?
• Who are significant person's in the child's life?
• What does the child like to do for fun?