- Who it's for
- Outside Caregiver, Whole Family
- Child / youth age
- All ages
- Geography
- National
- Action type
- Plan
- Reading time
- About 4 min
- Last verified
- August 2026
What this is
A template for the small set of information a household needs written down in case the primary caregiver is unavailable.
Why it matters
Families that have already been through one disruption know how fast the second one arrives. One page prevents a scramble.
What you should know
- List two adults the school is authorized to release the child to, and confirm the school has them on file.
- Note where identification, insurance, and school documents are kept.
- Include medication names and the child's provider, if any.
- Include the inside parent's contact process, if it applies.
- Give a copy to one trusted adult outside the household.
- Review it whenever a school, address, or phone number changes.
Talk about it
Tell your child, in age-appropriate terms, who would come for them and when.
Your next step
Fill out the page and give a copy to one person you trust.
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