What does a 'transfer' of a child in care mean?

• A. A move from one program to another under the same permit or at the same location
• B. A change of foster family
• C. A discharge to parent
• D. A move to a different country

Answer: (A)

A transfer means moving a child from one program to another under the same permit or at the same location. It keeps the same licensing in place and is used to adjust where the child receives services within the same agency, without changing the legal custody or ending the placement. This is different from changing foster families (which would be a new placement), discharging the child back to the parent (which ends the placement), or moving to another country (which involves different licensing and custody arrangements). In practice, transfers are documented and communicated to the child, caregivers, and supervising staff as part of the case plan.