All foster parents are strictly prohibited from using any of the following practices. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. If you have any questions, please consult your case manager before using a questionable form of discipline.

DFCS policy prohibits the following: 

• Spanking, slapping or hitting a child with your hand or any other object 

• Shaking, pinching or biting a child 

• Tying up a child in any way with a rope or similar item 

• Withholding food or drink 

• Denying a child mail, family visits, telephone calls, or other forms of contact with family, or activities with his or her case manager or other department staff 

• Criticizing the child’s family or the child’s experiences with his or her family

DFCS also prohibits humiliating or degrading punishment that subjects the child to ridicule, such as: 

• Cutting or combing the child’s hairfor punishment 

• Name calling and/or public scolding 

• Forcing any child to wear clothing or accessories usually associated with the other sex 

• Threatening a child with removal from the foster home; this creates fear, anger, and increased anxiety for the child •

 Locking a child in a room, closet, other confined space, or outside the home 

• Group punishment for the misbehavior of an individual child

• Delegating authority for punishment to or allowing punishment by other children or adults 

• Destroying the child’s personal property/belongings 

Any foster home that violates the above-stated discipline policies may result in administrative actions that include placing a hold on future placements, temporarily or permanently closing the foster home.

It is your responsibility to IMMEDIATELY notify the child’s case manager and your family Resource Development case manager regarding any behavioral or parenting challenges. Your case manager has many resources available for support in addressing such challenges.

If the school system asks for written and/or verbal permission to administer physical punishment of any kind to the child in your care, as his or her foster parent, you are obligated to deny ALL permissions to thiseffect.