California Code § 102417(g)(7): Emergency Contact Information

❌ Common Mistakes

• Switching to a digital enrollment system and assuming it replaces physical emergency cards. Electronic records are fine for administrative purposes, but inspectors expect to see a card or printout they can physically access during an emergency. If your system goes down or loses power, you still need immediate access to contact information.
• Collecting emergency cards at enrollment and never updating them. Families change phone numbers, move, switch pediatricians, and add or remove emergency contacts without notifying providers. A card from two years ago with a disconnected phone number is functionally the same as no card at all.
• Missing the emergency medical authorization signature. The card might have every phone number and address filled in perfectly, but if the parent hasn't signed the line authorizing emergency medical treatment, the card is incomplete. Inspectors specifically check for this signature because it has real legal consequences during a medical emergency.
• Keeping emergency cards in a location that only the lead provider can access. If you're the one having the medical emergency, or if you're off-site when an incident occurs, your assistant needs to find that child's card within seconds. Every caregiver in the home should know exactly where cards are stored.