Caregiver -- Child Match Characteristics
The following is a list the specific, observable characteristics of a suitable
permanency match between the current caregiver and the child living with
him/her:

Child’s artwork is on the
refrigerator

Toys are around

Child is in the family pictures

Foster parents involvement in
child’s school (PTA, meets with
teachers, goes to extracurricular activities)

Child has biological family
picture in room

Child runs to caregiver for
affection and foster parent gives
it

they use terms of endearment
with each other

Child talks about family vacation
plans (past, present, future)

Child’s hair and clothes are well
cared for

Protect and be supportive:
caring, loving, ability to reach
out

Ability to accept child’s special
needs

Willingness to support in
therapy – services

Acceptance of child’s
relationships with others and not
undermine them

Ability to meet the basic needs
and more

Be able to under the effect child
past experiences on his/her
present functioning level

Be able to accept rejection

Be flexible and have sense of
humor

Child says “I like living here”

Foster parents follow up on
medical visits

Child touches parent and
smiles

Foster parents transport to and
from visits


Foster family is able to speak
about birth family
Child’s physical health
(appetite, weight, sleep
patterns) is good

Child talks positively about
foster parent(s)

Child has good grades while
with foster parent

Child plays well with foster
siblings

Parent makes a place for child
in extended family activities

Child has own space in home

Child sits near foster parents
during social worker visits

Child says they want to stay

Caretaker supports child’s
culture
ACHIEVING PERMANENCY
Central California Training Academy
Page 151
Handout A-17

Parent says positive things
about the child

Problem solving family
conference

Parent continues to express to
provide permanency

Good appetite

Good health

Parent takes child on outings

Homework help

Parent is pro-active with child’s
school

Follow-up medical appointments

Parent demonstrates protective
concern for the child by asking
SW for guidance/advice

Positive talk about parents

Transport to appointments

Hair & clothes are well cared for
Observed open dialogue
between the child and the
parent

Encourage even with failure

Plays well with foster siblings
Parent takes child to church of
child’s choice

Advocate for special needs

Bio family picture in room

Art on refrigerator

Part of extended family activities

Eye contact

Accept rejection and still love

“I like living here”

Runs to and gets affection

Prepare cultural meals

Says he/she wants permanency

In family pictures

Family vacation plans

Humor kids/parents

Positive comments re child

Appropriate touching

Own space in home

Talks with child

Good grades

Toys around house

Mutual terms of endearment

Spiritual activities

Open dialogue

Smiles

Sits near during SW visits

Support child relations with
others

Asks for guidance from SW


School involvement PTA, sports
Caregiver talks positively about
birth family


Developed by the Staff of Fairfax Virginia’s County Department of Family
Services in 2002.
ACHIEVING PERMANENCY
Central California Training Academy
Page 152
Handout A-17