Foster Care Manual: Life Books Policy
This information has been excerpted from materials specific to one state. Be sure to check with your Foster Care Specialist for details in your state, county, or province.
Children in out-of-home placements are at high risk of losing their identities because of multiple moves, homes, schools, broken bonds and friendships, and repeated losses. Children need to know, "Who am I? Where did I come from? How did I get here? Where am I going? How will I get there?" It is essential for those who care for these children to preserve memories as best as possible. Life books are one such way of accomplishing this task. Photo journals and Life Boxes are other ways. We recommend that provider parents keep both a Life Book and a Life Box for this purpose. These items will follow the child and are to include a variety of information such as:
BIRTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY:
Developmental milestones, health and medical information, school information, church information, baptismal record, placement records and reasons for moves, family history, family stories, family traditions and special events, likes and dislikes, interests and talents, childhood treasures, awards and achievements, heirlooms, friends, relationships, pets, favorite places to visit, feelings, goals and dreams.
INFORMATION AND DESCRIPTIONS ABOUT BIRTH PARENTS AND SIBLINGS:
Family tree, name, address, physical description, race, national origin, talents, occupation, health history, pictures.
INFORMATION ABOUT PROVIDER FAMILIES:
Name, address, physical description, race, national origin, talents, occupation, pictures.
