What is a care plan?
Care plan forms-In English and Spanish
Getting to Know Me
What's the Plan?
In Case of Emergency
How would our family use a care plan?
Downloading care plan forms
What is a care plan?
A care plan is simply information written down on a piece of paper about how best to care for your child's health needs. A care plan is something that you and your child's doctor can develop together.
A care plan might include information about
- which medications your child takes and when
- what foods your child should avoid
- how often your child gets physical therapy
- what to do for your child in an emergency
Written care plans can help you share important information with others who take care of your child including
- doctors, nurses, therapists, emergency medics
- teachers, child care providers, respite providers
- grandparents, friends and neighbors.
Care plan forms
Three different care plan forms are provided. You might choose to use one form - or all three. You can use or change the forms to best meet your child's needs.
Many types of care plan forms are currently available. The three forms presented here were developed in collaboration with parents who have children with special needs. Each care plan form can be changed - sections can be expanded or deleted, and new headings can be added. These forms can be used individually or in combination with other care plan forms to best meet your child’s needs.
How would our family use a care plan?
Families use care plans in different ways:
- One parent of a child with developmental and health issues gives a two page description of her child to doctors, therapists, dentists, teachers, childcare providers, and even visiting family members as a way of "getting everyone on the same page." She also likes to include a photo of her child.
View example of Getting to Know Me
- A parent of a child with ongoing health issues finds it helpful to write down his questions and concerns before his child's appointments. This helps him get organized, remember important questions to ask and have a place during the appointment to write out what the "next steps" will be.
View example of What's the Plan? (column layout)
View example of What's the Plan? (row layout)
- Another parent of a child who has had several health emergencies likes to keep her child's written care plan with her at all times. It contains important information that doctors or emergency personnel will need to know. She keeps a copy in her purse, in the car, at her child's school and in the home.
View example of In Case of Emergency
Downloading care plan forms
To
ENTER information electronically:
1. Click on the form name to open it.
2. Place your curser where you want to add information.
3. Type as much information as you need- the area will expand to fit.
4. When you are done, save the complete form(s) to your computer (see below).
To
PRINT the forms and fill out by hand:
1. Click "File" on the top left of your computer screen.
2. Click "Print".
3. You can save the blank forms to your computer by following the steps below.
To
SAVE the forms to your computer:
1. Click "File" on the top left of your computer screen.
2. Click "Save As".
3. Choose the location on your computer where you want to save the form. (example: Desktop)
4. Click "Save".
Thank you to all the parents who were so helpful in designing and evaluating the care plan forms and this webpage.
Creating a Care Plan for Your Child with Special Needs