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I also have a small accordion folder that I keep extra copies of each child’s paperwork, pictures, WIC cards, etc..

The important thing is for you to come up with a system and use it. This will make life so much easier on you.

The types of forms you will be dealing with will depend on the type of care you provide, your state requirements, agency requirements, types of services your child have, etc.. I will hit a few of then to give you an idea what you will be dealing with.

Progress notes: This will be done on each child covering their visits, appointments, activities, behaviors, medical issues, punishment, etc... This is when your date book will come in very handy. The progress notes can be weekly or daily depending what type of care you provide.

Medication Log: You will document the medication that is given to the child (name of Med., dose, frequency, date, time and your initials).

Medical Report: Needs to be filled out every time a child goes to a doctor, dentist, or psychological appointment.

Incident Report: If a child falls outside playing and his head needs stitches, or gets a nasty bump, you will have to fill this out. It will cover basic information (what was the child doing, was there supervision, when it happened date, time, what did you do etc.).

Visitation or Contact Log: To be used when your foster child has unsupervised visits and phone contact (visits can be with bio parents, siblings, other family members)

Reimbursement Form: This will mainly be for clothing in some counties that will require copies of the receipts and other you will need to file the receipts if you are asked for them. In some areas you will also do this form for Christmas gifts, daycare, etc.

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Please, post how you stay organized with the paper work and any ideas you may have.

Though we travel the world over to find what is beautiful, we must carry it within us or we find it not.