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The question we are asking in this series is documentation, "How Important is it"? Easy to answer;
Documentation is imperative to your survival as a Foster Parent, it is your only line of defense. In workshops three slides are used to stress how important this subject is;
There are three words that every foster parent needs to keep in front of them at all times; Those three words are;
- 1st word; Documentation
- 2nd word; Documentation
- 3rd word; Documentation
Get it, got it…..Good..........Now let’s get on with our instruction.
If someone mentions the word “documentation” and does not give you instructions along with that word it remains just a word. It is unfortunate that your Foster Parent trainings do not cover the vital subjects that we are exploring here on The Examiner. They are in the most part defeating the purpose of the trainings. You see, if they would furnish their foster parents an education, containing truth about the hurricane that is heading their way, a storm called allegations, from which the only defense is documentation, it would give foster parents the opportunity to prepare for the “storm” that is coming.
Instead, foster parents find themselves sitting in the middle of a hurricane called “CPS” wondering why someone was not honest with them. While their lives are in turmoil due to an allegation then it is too late to instruct you in documentation. When they live through the traumatic experience an allegation they no longer wish to continue as foster parents. Can you blame you?
Partial solution to the problem, a new approach, be truthful with you, warn you about allegations and teach you to document properly.
Remember what the rules of instruction are. What, why and how. So let us cover exactly what documentation is; Webster’s dictionary defines this word as; The paper that furnishes information, proof, or support of something else. This is what we are doing when we document. We are establishing a method of proving/documenting any events/incidents that take place in or outside of our homes. Documentation is a record another word commonly is journaling.
I think the why in this subject is obvious; we are trying to save ourselves from the humiliation and unnecessary financial/emotional ruin from an impending allegation. Documentation is our only defense.
You notice what we said “impending allegation”.
You must change your way of thinking. Instead of thinking, you could have an allegation filed, change this thinking to “you will have an allegation” filed on me or someone in my family.
Homework; write this out and place it in a prominent place so you’ll see it. EVERYDAY
“It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when”.
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