Parties
Identify the child, placing agency, caregiver(s), and legal guardian, including addresses and contact information for accountability and service delivery.
A properly drafted agreement reduces ambiguity about caregiving duties, protects the child’s interests, supports regulatory compliance, and documents consent. Electronic execution is generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes when the four ESIGN validity elements are met.
These agreements are completed by public and private child welfare agencies, foster caregivers, and legal representatives to document placement terms.
Use the signed agreement to support case records, court reviews, reimbursement requests, and audits; maintain copies in both agency files and caregiver records.
Identify the child, placing agency, caregiver(s), and legal guardian, including addresses and contact information for accountability and service delivery.
State placement start and projected end dates, renewal conditions, and procedures for early termination or extension of placement.
List daily care, school attendance, medical treatment protocols, supervised contact with family, and transportation responsibilities.
Detail reimbursement amounts, payment schedule, eligible expenses, and documentation required for claims or agency audits.
Specify which decisions the caregiver may make (e.g., routine medical care, school enrollment) and which require prior agency or court approval.
Provide signature blocks for all parties, note witness or notary requirements, and record the method of signature (electronic or wet ink).
| Setting | Recommended Configuration | Value | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Signer Order | Agency first | ensures approvals before caregiver signature |
| Authentication | Email + SMS code | balances usability and identity assurance |
| Notary / Witness | Conditional field | trigger when state requires it |
| Storage Location | Encrypted cloud | retain audit trail and backups |
Choose a platform that supports common document types, secure authentication, and integration with case-management systems.
Ensure the platform you select logs a complete audit trail, supports required compliance standards, and can export signed records in PDF/A format for long-term storage.
| 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 by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
The date when caregiver responsibilities and benefits begin.
Typically required within days of placement; check agency policy.
Must be completed before placement or per agency rules.
Scheduled per state juvenile court timetables and orders.
At least yearly reassessment of placement and caregiver licensing.