[bluebird38]

What do you do when a fc gets a scrape and you don't know how? I told the cw about it but I don't know how or even exactly when it happened?

[jphollen]

Honestly, I think I would just say what you said...She/he has this scrape/scratch/mark and I am not sure how he/she got it. My bio 2 and a half year old bumps into so much some days I am surprised CPS isn't knocking on my door!

[greenrobin]

First, don't panic.

Second, first aid.

Third, email the cw and say something like, "Baby came home with a scratch on her left leg. We treated it." Then, if cw wants it, write an incident report and let it go.

They know that kids get bumps, scrapes and bruises on their arms and legs. It's normal.

[Withay]

I always let the cw know by email saying something like "Lil Guy got a scratch on his leg, but I have no idea how or exactly when it happened. I noticed it when I changed his clothes today".

[EandDmom]

Do you tell caseworker about every little scrape? I only tell her about the big things like a bump on the head. If I told her about every little thing it would be a daily call.

[shavon]

I would just call cw and tell her also...My little princess came for the weekend before she moved in permanently and we were at my sis in laws house, she has a deck and had a baby gate up but lil princess somehow managed to push it down and fell right along with it.. It was aweful, she busted her lip open, blood was every where!!!!!

I e mailed our case worker, I would have called but it was on a sunday afternoon, then I e mailed her case worker explaining what had happened and even told her to pass my name and phone number to the foster parents that currently had her so they could ask any questins if they had any.. Then the next morning I drove to the office so our case worker could see it for him self.

He could not believe that I went so far out of my way to report and even show what happened. he said next time just call him and report it...I just wanted to make sure my rear was covered...Kids fall, bump, scratch thier selfs daily.

[fredalina]

At what age does it stop with every scratch? i mean, does an 8 year old who skins his knee falling off his bike warrant a call each time? How about if they get scratches on their arms or legs playing in the woods? What if they don't tell you, and they're old enough that they bathe themselves and dress themselves, but it is seen later by a case worker?

i'm not saying cya is wrong, just curious if it changes any for somewhat older kids? When i was 5-12 years old, i had so many scratches and bruises and bumps that it would be impossible for my parents to document them all. So do we wrap the foster kids in bubble wrap and not let them do "dangerous" but ordinary activities for kids, like riding their bicycles?

[chevyjewel]

My kids workers have always said they worry more about kiddos that AREN'T getting the run of the mill bumps, scrapes and bruises.

We only report the serious stuff, which for us has been next to nada so far.


ETA a *knocks on wood* LOL!

[jphollen]

depends on the kid...We had one once for a few days. CW asked us if we would jot down anytime she fell or may have got hurt (ex. fell at 2pm running no red areas or marks visible right now). BioMom had a history of CPS reports (LOTS all unfounded) on prior fp's and they needed respite. They kept records like that to protect themselves and we followed suit for that child.

Please don't blast me for the bio remark. I don't mean that they shouldn't be worried about their children in care. I don't mean they shouldn't hotline anything, this ways just one of those times it appeared to be every time there was a hair out of place a hotline report was made.

I only do it now if someone gets a real bruise or nasty cut. I don't necessarily email her either. I put it in their monthly medical log (unless it warranted an er visit) and send it at the end of the month.

[Withay]

I agree with jp. It all depends on the case as to whether or not I report every single mark.

The ones I have right now, I just report the major things. For example, one of my guys was learning to walk and had a piece of pressboard puzzle in his hand. You know how kids who are learning think that they can walk as long as they hold onto something. Well, boom down he went and put a 3 corner cut on his forehead. I called the cw and told her I was taking him to the pediatrician because of the location and shape. Turns out he had to have 3 stitches to lessen the scar. It really didn't look like one that would need stitches, but I thought I should get it checked just in case. So glad I did.

My lil fd who is on ru is one that I report everything on right now. We don't know how the ru will work out and mom had a habit of sending her back with very strange marks. Since I started reporting everything to her and cw she is now reporting to me. Very helpful.

[Boulderbabe]

Originally Posted by jphollen

BioMom had a history of CPS reports (LOTS all unfounded) on prior fp's and they needed respite. They kept records like that to protect themselves and we followed suit for that child.

Please don't blast me for the bio remark. I don't mean

I hear you. I always take a photograph of ANY mark on a kid's body, and send it via email with a description of the incident to the SW immediately. One of my fdaughters fell and bruised her eye the first day she was with me. I called it in, then emailed a report.....and still got sent over to intake.

Sigh....