Which records must be kept confidential by an LCPAA, and who may access them?

• A. All records are public; anyone may access.
• B. Records are confidential but accessible to any foster family.
• C. Child records must be kept confidential; access is limited to authorized staff, court orders, DFPS personnel, the child, and the child’s birth family as permitted by law.
• D. Only medical records are confidential.

Answer: (C)

Confidentiality of the child’s records is a fundamental requirement in LCPAA practice. The records must be kept confidential to protect the child’s privacy and safety, and access is limited to those with a legitimate need and authority. The best choice explains that child records are confidential and access is restricted to authorized staff who work with the child, individuals or entities with a court order, DFPS personnel involved in the case, the child themselves, and the child’s birth family as permitted by law. This structure aligns with legal protections that limit disclosure to those who legitimately need the information and allows access only under lawful circumstances, rather than making records public or broadly accessible to all foster families. It also reflects that access rules apply to all child records, not just medical ones, with allowances for court orders and permissions as defined by statute.