A child or youth’s safety in a placement is the foremost concern. The caseworker evaluates the safety of the child or youth throughout the placement process.

• At the time of placement selection, the caseworker must assess each child or youth’s particular vulnerabilities and the ability and willingness of each potential caregiver to protect the child or youth.
• After the placement has been selected and the caseworker is conducting pre-placement activities or actually placing the child or youth, the caseworker must look again for indications the caregiver will protect the child or youth.
• While the child or youth is in the placement, the caseworker must monitor for safety during face-to-face visits and in any other contact the caseworker or DFPS staff has with the child or youth. For a child or youth with primary medical needs, the caseworker must refer to Appendix 3: Questions for CPS Staff to Ask When Visiting in the Home with a Child with Primary Medical Needs, located in the Placement Process Resource GuidePDF Document. The resource guide also has additional points of discussion for children or youth who do not have primary medical needs.