Continued..................

Inventory of Clothing: You will fill this out on each child when they come into your home. My agency only wants the clothing listed that the child can actual wear. I always list the clothing they cannot wear (due to size or condition) on the back just to protect myself. I do not get rid of anything of the child’s even if it is in poor condition. I place it in my garage with their name on the box. In some areas or with some agencies you will also do a list when the child leaves.


Fire Escape Map: A drawing of your house showing the exits out of the rooms. We also have to state where the meeting place is once everyone gets out of the house (this should an area away from your house)

Fire Drill Record: You will need to document you fire drill information when you have the drills.

School Logs: You need to document the school information (name, address, phone number, fax number, principal, teacher, teacher meetings, phone calls from staff or yourself, ARD meetings, etc.).

Restraint Document: This has to be done after every restraint. It will cover date, time, what lead up to the restraint, who did it, what type of restraint, how long did it last, how was the child after, when did and how you contacted someone at the agency (you have 24 hours), etc..

You will also have documents to keep up with about yourselves and the foster home (fire inspection report, health inspection, pet vaccinations, TB test, training hours, on, and on, and on).

Everyone will have different systems so, if ones does not work for you try another one.

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

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.”
Garrison Keillor