Who must sign this agreement?

Typically the placing agency representative and the foster parent(s) sign. If a child’s legal guardian or parent retains certain rights, their signature or a documented waiver may be required.

Can the form be signed electronically?

Yes, electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where applicable, provided the platform records intent, consent, attribution, and retains a reproducible record.

Is notarization required?

Notarization is not universally required for foster care agreements; check agency or state rules. For any documents needing notarization, use a notarized addendum or follow RON procedures where the state permits.

How do I amend an executed agreement?

Amendments should be drafted, signed by all original signers, dated, and appended to the original file; some agencies require supervisory or legal review before changes are effective.

What if a signer’s name is inconsistent?

Correct mismatched names promptly. Mismatches can delay school enrollment, medical care, and payments; use legal names consistent with IDs and agency records.

Where should signed copies be stored?

Keep the original in the agency case file, give a copy to foster parents, and retain electronic backups consistent with retention policy and HIPAA when PHI is stored electronically.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
Foster Care Agreement Form

Foster Care Agreement Form

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FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT FORM

This Foster Care Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into by and between Agency Name: with principal office at Agency Address: (hereinafter "Agency"), and Foster Parent(s): of Foster Home Address: . The effective date of placement is .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Agency is responsible for placement of children in foster care in accordance with applicable law, and has the legal authority to arrange for the care, custody, and supervision of a child for the period set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Foster Parent(s) represent that they are licensed, qualified, and willing to provide care for the child named below consistent with the requirements of the Agency and applicable law; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective obligations, authorities, and understandings regarding the care, supervision, and support of the child during the placement period.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. CHILD INFORMATION

Child's Full Name: Date of Birth: Placement Reason:

2. TERM OF PLACEMENT

2.1 Placement Commencement. The child will be placed in the foster home on Placement Start Date: , and shall remain placed subject to the terms of this Agreement, applicable court orders, and law.

2.2 Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other party in accordance with Section 12. In addition, placement may be terminated immediately if the Agency, in its sole discretion, determines continuation of placement would be contrary to the child's best interests or safety.

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOSTER PARENT

3.1 General Care. The Foster Parent shall provide daily supervision, care, nourishment, and a safe, nurturing environment consistent with the child's developmental needs, religious and cultural considerations, and any applicable court order.

3.2 Compliance with Plans. The Foster Parent shall comply with the child's case plan, behavioral and therapeutic requirements, medication regimens, and educational plans as provided by the Agency or ordering authority.

3.3 Reporting Obligations. The Foster Parent shall promptly report to the Agency any significant incidents, accidents, suspected abuse or neglect, or changes in household composition or licensing status.

4. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF AGENCY

4.1 Supervision and Support. The Agency shall provide supervision, training, support services, and consultation to the Foster Parent, and shall make reasonable efforts to provide caseworker contact and resources necessary to meet the child's needs.

4.2 Case Direction. The Agency retains authority to make placement decisions, approve medical and psychological services, and direct visitation and permanency planning in accordance with law and court orders.

5. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Monthly Payment / Stipend Reimbursable Expenses

5.1 Payments are intended to cover the child's day-to-day care and are not intended as wages. Payments will be made in accordance with Agency policy and may be adjusted for special services or extraordinary expenses with prior Agency approval.

6. MEDICAL CARE AND AUTHORIZATION

6.1 Routine and Emergency Medical Care. The Foster Parent shall seek prior approval from the Agency for non-emergency medical and dental care. In the event of an emergency, the Foster Parent is authorized to obtain medically necessary care to protect the child's health and safety.

6.2 Authorization for Emergency Treatment: I hereby acknowledge that emergency medical treatment may be provided without prior Agency approval when required to prevent imminent risk to the child's life or health.

Primary Care Physician / Clinic

7. EDUCATION

7.1 School Enrollment. The Foster Parent shall ensure the child is enrolled in and attends an appropriate educational program. The Foster Parent shall cooperate with the Agency and school personnel to support the child's educational needs and shall comply with any school-related directives from the Agency.

Education Arrangements / Special Needs

8. LICENSING, TRAINING AND HOME CONDITIONS

8.1 Licensing. Foster Parent shall maintain all required licensing and certification during the term of this Agreement and shall promptly notify the Agency of any matters affecting licensure.

8.2 Training. Foster Parent shall complete mandatory training and continuing education required by the Agency and by applicable law; failure to do so may result in suspension or termination of placement.

Foster License Number License Expiration Date

9. RECORDS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND ACCESS

9.1 Records. Foster Parent shall maintain records concerning the child's daily care, medical treatments, school progress, and significant incidents and shall make such records available to the Agency upon request.

9.2 Confidentiality. Except as required by law, Foster Parent shall keep confidential all information concerning the child and the child's family and shall not disclose identifying information without prior written consent of the Agency or as authorized by law.

10. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

10.1 Insurance. The Foster Parent shall maintain homeowner's or renter's insurance as required by the Agency and shall promptly notify the Agency of any claims or incidents that may give rise to liability.

10.2 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from claims arising out of that party's negligent or intentional acts or omissions. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to waive any immunity available to the Agency under applicable law.

11. NOTICES

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by hand, certified mail, or other method providing proof of delivery.

Agency Notice Address Foster Parent Notice Address

12. AMENDMENT, WAIVER, AND COUNTERPARTS

12.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

12.2 Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

12.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

13. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

13.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state where the child is placed, without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

13.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any attachments and case plan documents incorporated by reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

13.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

14. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

14.1 Background Checks. Foster Parent warrants they have completed all background checks required by law and Agency policy and shall promptly notify the Agency of any subsequent matters that would affect suitability.

14.2 Cooperation with Permanency Plan. The Foster Parent shall cooperate with efforts to achieve the child's permanency goals, including facilitating visitation and reunification efforts as directed by the Agency or court order.

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

Caseworker Name Case Number or File ID

Agency Representative:

By:

Date:

Foster Parent Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Foster Care Agreement Form Is and When It’s Used

A Foster Care Agreement Form is a written contract that documents the placement of a child into foster care and sets out the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the placing agency, the foster parent(s), and any legal guardians. It typically records placement dates, authorized care activities, financial support or board rates, medical and education consent, reporting duties, and conditions for reunification or permanency planning. Agencies use the form to confirm that foster parents meet licensing standards and that the placement complies with applicable state child welfare rules. Accurate execution helps protect the child’s interests and creates a clear record for case review, funding, and audits.

Why a Clear Foster Care Agreement Form Matters

A well-drafted form clarifies responsibilities, reduces disputes over care decisions and expenses, and creates an evidentiary record for caseworkers, courts, and funding sources. It supports child safety, ensures consent for medical and school matters, and documents the placement timeline for reviews.

Who Prepares and Signs a Foster Care Agreement

Each signer should retain a copy; agencies usually keep the original in the case file for monitoring and auditing.

Placing agency caseworker: drafts the agreement and confirms licensing and home-study findings.
Foster parent(s): review, accept placement terms, and sign to acknowledge duties and emergency procedures.
Legal guardian or parent (when required): signs consent or acknowledges visitation and reunification provisions.

Core Sections Found in a Professional Foster Care Agreement

A comprehensive form groups obligations and permissions into clear sections so caseworkers, foster parents, and legal parties can quickly find critical terms.

Parties

Identifies the placing agency, foster parent(s), child, and any legal guardian with full legal names and contact details.

Placement Details

Records the child’s name, placement start date, expected duration, placement type, and any placement conditions or restrictions.

Care & Consent

Specifies who can authorize routine and emergency medical treatment, school enrollment, extracurricular participation, and mental health services.

Financial Terms

States board, maintenance, clothing, transportation allowances, payment frequency, and allowable expense reimbursement procedures.

Contact & Visitation

Outlines visitation schedules with parents, supervised contact requirements, and communication protocols agreed with the case plan.

Termination

Explains conditions for ending placement, required notice, return-of-child procedures, and documentation for reunification or transfer.

Key Data Fields Often Required

Child ID: Name, DOB

Placement Dates: Start and expected end

Foster Parent: Full legal name

Agency: Agency name & license

Consent Types: Medical, school, travel

Payment: Rate and frequency

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing the Form

Follow this typical sequence to prepare, sign, and file a foster care agreement with minimal friction.

01

Prepare: Enter placement facts and attach home-study or license info.
02

Review: Caseworker and foster parent review terms and ask clarifying questions.
03

Sign: Collect all signatures and dates, in-person or electronically where allowed.
04

File: Save a copy to the case record and provide a copy to the foster parent.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Configure your online workflow to capture required data, consent, and a robust audit trail.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Required for each signer; capture timestamp
Initials Field	Optional for page-level acknowledgements
Attachment Field	Require home-study, license, or ID upload
Authentication	Email + SMS or stronger where PHI is present

How to Share and Sign the Form Electronically

When protected health information is involved, ensure the platform supports HIPAA protection and a signed BAA if required.

Document Formats: PDF or DOCX accepted
Integrations: Works with case management systems
Authentication: Email, SMS, or multi-factor

Where to Send, File, or Submit the Completed Form

Use a clear routing plan so each stakeholder gets a copy and the case record is updated immediately after signing.

Agency Case File: Upload original to the child’s electronic case record
Foster Parent Copy: Provide signed PDF for their records
Legal Counsel: Send if the case requires court involvement
School / Medical: Share consent pages as allowed by privacy rules

Common Timing Considerations and Review Deadlines

Agencies set case-specific deadlines, but these are typical timing checkpoints to track after placement.

Effective Date:

Placement obligations begin on the signed effective date

Initial Review:

Agency review commonly occurs within 30 days of placement

Safety Checks:

Background or safety rechecks often required before placement and periodically

Payment Cycle:

Board rates paid per agency schedule, often monthly

Annual Review:

Many agencies require annual placement plan reviews

Key Milestones in the Placement Lifecycle

Track these sequential milestones from placement through case closure to keep the file complete and defensible.

01

Placement Start

Child arrives and placement form is signed

02

Initial Case Review

Caseworker documents safety and placement suitability

03

Periodic Check-ins

Home visits and welfare checks continue on schedule

04

Transition or Closure

Reunification, transfer, or permanency steps documented

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Form

Using partial names or nicknames that do not match agency records, causing identity confusion or enrollment delays.
Failing to spell out who can consent to medical care, leading to treatment delays or disputes in emergencies.
Omitting license or home-study references and supporting documents that licensing staff require for audits.
Relying on verbal agreements instead of a signed, dated form, which weakens legal enforceability.

Potential Consequences of Incomplete or Incorrect Agreements

Placement Disruption: Unclear terms risk emergency removal

Funding Denials: Missing paperwork can stop reimbursements

Licensing Action: Noncompliance may trigger sanctions

Legal Liability: Care disputes can lead to civil claims

HIPAA Exposure: Improper PHI handling risks fines

Court Delays: Incomplete records slow permanency hearings

Real-World Examples of How the Agreement Is Used

These condensed scenarios show typical ways agencies and foster families rely on the form to document placements and responsibilities.

County Agency Placement

A county child welfare agency completes an agreement for an emergency placement with attached medical consent and board rate details for clarity.

The foster parent signs to accept daily care duties and emergency authority.
The signed agreement is uploaded to the case management file immediately, enabling payments and scheduled reviews while giving the foster parent a verifiable copy for school and medical enrollment.

Private Agency Match

A private placement agency finalizes a placement agreement after matching a family and completing a home study.

The agency documents special behavioral supports and reimbursement caps.
Both the agency and foster parents sign; the agency retains the original for audits and shares a certified copy with the child’s attorney and guardian ad litem as required.

eSignature Platforms for Signing Foster Care Agreements (comparison overview)

Choose a secure eSignature provider that supports audit trails, strong authentication, and HIPAA protections when PHI is present; vendor pricing and features vary.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About the Foster Care Agreement Form

Answers to common questions on signing, validity, and recordkeeping to help caseworkers and foster parents avoid common pitfalls.

Need help? Contact support

Who must sign this agreement?
Typically the placing agency representative and the foster parent(s) sign. If a child’s legal guardian or parent retains certain rights, their signature or a documented waiver may be required.
Can the form be signed electronically?
Yes, electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where applicable, provided the platform records intent, consent, attribution, and retains a reproducible record.
Is notarization required?
Notarization is not universally required for foster care agreements; check agency or state rules. For any documents needing notarization, use a notarized addendum or follow RON procedures where the state permits.
How do I amend an executed agreement?
Amendments should be drafted, signed by all original signers, dated, and appended to the original file; some agencies require supervisory or legal review before changes are effective.
What if a signer’s name is inconsistent?
Correct mismatched names promptly. Mismatches can delay school enrollment, medical care, and payments; use legal names consistent with IDs and agency records.
Where should signed copies be stored?
Keep the original in the agency case file, give a copy to foster parents, and retain electronic backups consistent with retention policy and HIPAA when PHI is stored electronically.

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