A number of states have developed policies and practices requiring the use of “reasonable efforts” to place siblings together when they are in foster care and frequent visitation or ongoing interaction when siblings are not placed together in care. 

California
California law on the state’s policies on sibling placements is described in A Policy Analysis of California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16002: Siblings in Foster Care.

Connecticut
Connecticut’s  Policy Manual, Placement of Siblings (36-55-6) sets out the state’s policy of placing siblings together unless the documents needs of one or more siblings preclude placing the siblings in the same foster care setting. It outlines the exceptions to reunification of siblings and states how efforts to reunite siblings are to be documented.

Idaho
Idaho has detailed policies on siblings at the time of initial placement, in permanency planning, and when siblings are separated.

Illinois
Illinois has sibling placement and visitation policies that outlines the state’s policy of placing siblings together, the circumstances under which is it is in the best interests of a child to be placed apart from his or  her siblings, and the required written documentation related to the diligent search to locate a joint placement for siblings.

Minnesota
Minnesota has developed a guide, Improving outcomes for children and families: PIP Tip Item 12, which focuses on placement with siblings, sibling separation, agency efforts and resources that support sibling placements, and improving and monitoring performance on sibling placements.

New York
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services’  2005 report, Sibling Placement in Foster Care, describes the state’s policy on placing siblings and half-siblings together and withholding such placement only when the child’s health, safety or welfare is at risk or the lack of geographical proximity precludes or prevents it. A more recent report,  Keeping Siblings Connected: A White Paper on Siblings in Foster Care and Adoptive Placements in New York State Provides a range of recommendations for enhancing sibling placements together and strengthening practice around sibling visits.

Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s policy of sibling placements  provides detailed instructions to staff as to the making and documentation of reasonable efforts to place siblings together, examples of circumstances as to when sibling separation may be in a child’s best interest, and the factors to be assessed when the permanency plan is  adoption and a request for separation of siblings is being considered.

Washington, DC
Washington, DC’s policy on maintaining sibling connections for children and youth in foster care outlines the steps the investigator/social worker is to take in ensuring that reasonable efforts are used to place siblings together, the placement unit’s role in placing siblings together in the most family-like, least restrictive setting, and the requirements for contacts among siblings when they are separated.

Washington
Washington State has developed policies  that require reasonable efforts to place siblings in the same foster home, relative caregiver, other suitable person or adoptive home; require that the reasons be documented as to why siblings are unable to be placed together including if placement is contrary to the safety and well-being of any of the siblings; and specify that that siblings are placed apart in out-of-home care, a written plan for twice-monthly visits must be developed (unless safety concerns exist).

California
Los Angeles County, California has developed detailed procedures on when siblings should be placed together and when separate placements are appropriate.

Minnesota
Minnesota  has developed a PIPS TIP on Placement of Siblings that guides caseworkers in strengthening their practice.

New York
New York State, in conjunction with the New York State Youth Leadership Advisory Team has developed for youth in care, Need to Know Series: Sibling Placement and Visitation which provides user friendly information on the state’s policies and procedures about the placement of siblings together and sibling visitation.

Tennessee
Tennessee has developed guidance for caseworkers on the specific circumstances that warrant the separation of siblings and specific procedures for supervised and unsupervised visits between siblings.

Child Welfare Information Gateway.  Sibling Issues in Foster Care and Adoption

National Resource Center on Permanency and Fostering Connections. Sibling Placement: 

Sibling Issues in Foster Care and Adoption This Bulletin for Professionals from Child Welfare Information Gateway covers: Defining a Sibling Relationship; The Importance of Siblings; Sibling Relationships in Abusive or Neglectful Families; Benefits of Placing Siblings Together; Barriers to Placing Siblings Together; Policies for Keeping Siblings Together; When Siblings Cannot Live Together; Maintaining Ties Between Separated Siblings; Sibling Issues within the Foster or Adoptive Family; Resources for Promoting Intact Placement of Sibling Groups. (2006)

State Strategies to Support Joint Sibling Placement
NRCPFC surveyed States about specific strategies they have used to maximize the placement of siblings together when they enter out-of-home care. Responses provided by Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and North Dakota were compiled in this document. (Last Updated: February 2011)

North Carolina: Honoring and Maintaining Sibling Connections
Fostering Perspectives: Views on Foster Care and Adoption in North Carolina, Vol.14, No. 1 Includes “What You Can Do to Strengthen Sibling Connections”. (November 2009)

Connecting with Siblings
Fostering Connections Judge’s Page Newsletter
Discusses Section 206 of the Fostering Connections Act, issues that prevent siblings from being placed together, role of the juvenile court. (July 2011)

Fostering Connections Page on Siblings