On what basis should a placement decision be made?

• A. The child’s permanency plan, safety needs, and the foster family’s capacity and suitability, in the child’s best interest.
• B. The oldest available foster family.
• C. Proximity to the child's school only.
• D. Random selection.

Answer: (C)

Placements should be guided by what’s best for the child, balancing safety, the child’s permanency plan, and the foster family’s capacity and suitability. This means asking: Can the foster family keep the child safe from harm? Does this placement support the child’s long-term goals (reunification, guardianship, adoption, etc.)? Is the caregiver able to meet the child’s needs—emotional, developmental, educational, and daily living? When these factors line up, the placement serves the child’s best interests.

Choosing based only on proximity to the child’s school ignores safety and long-term stability, while picking the oldest available foster family or making a random selection does not consider whether the caregiver is appropriate or capable of meeting the child’s specific needs.