Automating Group Home Management: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Running a group home can be fun and helpful, but it can also be a lot of work. The best way to make things easier is to use tools that help your home run by itself. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make your group home run smoothly, so you can spend more time caring for the people who live there.

Communication

Good communication helps your group home stay organized. You need a simple way for your residents and new people to reach you. Apps like Google Voice or WhatsApp make it easy to talk and see who’s calling before you answer.

Marketing and Networking

Meeting the right people helps you keep your group home full and successful. Katrina suggests using LinkedIn to connect with caseworkers and reentry groups. Try searching for words like “social worker” or “case manager” to find them. You can also use Facebook Marketplace to find low-cost furniture and supplies for your home.

Document Management

Keeping track of papers and forms is easier with online tools. When someone applies to live in one of my houses, their info goes straight to a Google Sheet. Using Google Drive and JotForm helps me save time and find everything I need in one place.

Scheduling and Tours

Instead of going back and forth to set up meetings, tools like Calendly can help people schedule home tours on their own. Now we just send them a link, and they can choose a time that works for them.

Tenant Management

To collect rent and track payments, I use an app called RentRedi. When residents pay their rent through RentRedi, it goes straight into my bank account. This makes things faster and helps me get paid on time.

Security and Support

Keeping everyone safe is very important. My operations manager and I use Ring cameras to watch the property and make sure everyone feels secure. I also hire helpers from websites like Fiverr and Upwork to handle small jobs, which gives me more time for bigger tasks.

Conclusion

When you use smart tools to help run your group home, everything becomes easier and more organized. Start with what you need now and add more tools later. By following these steps, you can run a happy, safe, and successful group home.

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