Why are Event Notes Important?

Illustration of a woman with blonde hair in a bun wearing a read jack and black glasses

Ronnie says, “I’ve learned how important event notes are, especially for the following reasons.”

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Documents progress towards meeting individual’s needs and desires

Notes are legal documents and are subject to open records requests

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Ensures continuity of service for individual

Improves accountability between the GSSW and individual

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Acknowledges GSSW for the quality of work completed

Allows oversight of the services being performed

Illustration of a woman with blonde hair in a bun wearing a read jack and black glasses

Ronnie says, “As we discussed earlier, the following are expectations for documentation.”

Effective documentation:

  • Establishes accountability and evidence of services provided.
  • Provides an accurate, timely, objective account of an individual’s situation, services, plan of care progress or the lack of, interventions, challenges, health, and other relevant information.
  • Is valuable at the time of intervention and for years in the future.

What is the purpose of effective documentation?

  • Helps to assure continuity of care.
  • Helps the service team remember events.
  • Serves to tell a story and helps identify patterns of behavior.
  • Provides a record of information used by the GSSW and other service providers in team meetings and court hearings.