Children in out-of-home placement are at risk for poor physical, developmental, and mental health. However, the multiple medical and mental health needs of children in foster care, and their dependence on multiple public agencies for health services, present challenges to provision of care. This state and county survey of public health, child welfare, Medicaid, and mental health agencies-supported by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-examined how health services are provided to children in out-of-home care. About 50 percent of state child welfare agencies that responded to the survey had policies requiring health screening and assessment in the first month of the child's tenure in foster care, or specifying exam content. Few agencies had policies and procedures for children's ongoing health care, or for health evaluations when changes in placement occur. Recording past health history, school readiness assessments, and written health plans were least frequently identified as part of health exams. Only half of state and county agencies reported that a mental health assessment was part of an initial health screening exam, or a comprehensive health assessment. State and county mental health agencies indicated that underreporting of foster children's mental health problems by parents, social workers, and providers posed barriers to care. Public agencies that have financing or service delivery roles can enhance children's access, by understanding how system organization affects access and quality of health care, and how collaboration could assure more timely, and comprehensive, services.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1.List important health assessment components for children in foster care. 2.Describe financing and organizational barriers to timely health care for children in foster care.
Keywords: Children's Health, Access to Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.