Each state varies in the documentation of foster youth’s medical info, social history, and life stories.
To work together, we must understand these differences, starting with the NAMES of the documents and if they are required or optional.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California (CA)
-Lifebook (recommended, but not required)
-Medical Passport + PSYCHOSOCIAL AND MEDICAL HISTORY OF CHILD
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois (IL)
-Lifebook (recommended, but not required)(one agency is starting a Lifebook with each youth at the 48hr meeting if they don’t already have one)
-Medical History Form (unknown)
-Unsure if there is a different document completed after the termination of parental rights or one that notes reasons for being in care.
Iowa
Indiana (IN)
-Lifebook (unknown)
–Medical Passport (all kids in care), included medical care, inherited conditions, placements, educational history
-Unsure if there is a different document completed after the termination of parental rights or one that notes reasons for being in care.
Kentucky (KY)
-Lifebook (unknown)
–Medical Passport (all kids in care)
–Initial Medical history with Family
-Unsure if there is a different document completed after the termination of parental rights, that documents birth parent history, placements, etc.
Kansas
Louisiana (LA)
-Lifebook (unknown)
-Medical History Form (unknown)
-Unsure if there is a different document completed after the termination of parental rights or one that notes reasons for being in care.
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan (MI)
-Lifebook (unknown)
–Medical Passport (all kids in care)
-Unsure if there is a different document completed after the termination of parental rights, that documents birth parent history, placements, etc.
Minnesota (MN)
-Lifebook (required for foster youth receiving recruitment services)
-Social Medical History – DHS 6754A (all foster youth in care 6 months+)
Relevant Statues: 260c.212, 259.43, 260c.609, 260c.219, 260c.452, 260c.623, 259.83, 260E.35, 259.79
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
– Health Passport (abbreviated) and Form DSS-711, Child’s Medical Record (or physician-provided equivalent) for all children in care
– Life Book recommended upon first coming into care
Relevant statuses: 18 CRR-NY 441.22(k); NY Soc Serv L § 373-A (2021)
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio (OH)
-Lifebook (required for all foster youth after they have been in care 6 months)
-Child’s Health and Education History (all foster youth)
–Child Study Inventory (CSI) (required for foster youth post TPR)
Relevant Statues: Rule 5101:2-48-21, Rule 5101:2-42-66.2 and Rule 5101:2-42-67
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
If your state is not represented above, please add the following in the comments:
- In your state, what is the document that holds a foster youth’s social and medical history called?
- And is it REQUIRED or suggested?
If your state IS represented, did I get it right?
Requirements Outside the United States
United Kingdom (UK)
-LifeStory book (required for all foster youth moving toward adoption)
IF you appreciated this article, please share with your networks!
Medical passport? Child’s Health and Education History? Child Study Inventory? Lifebook? Social Medial History? In your state, what is the document that holds a foster youth’s social and medical history called? And is it REQUIRED or suggested?
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