Health-Care-Program-for-Children-in-Foster-Care

Purpose

The Kern County Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) provides Public Health Nurse consultation, oversight, and complex care management, to address the medical, dental, behavioral, and developmental needs of Foster Youth. The HCPCFC Public Health Nurses collaborate with the Department of Human Services to help ensure that all children involved in the Child Welfare System receive access to comprehensive, high quality, consistent, and timely health services.

Services

  • Advocate for the health care needs of children in foster care.
  • Assist resource parents to obtain timely comprehensive health assessments and dental examinations.
  • Coordinate care for foster children and youth.
  • Provide nursing consultation, wellness education, and health care oversight for children in out-of-home placement.
  • Facilitate referrals to early intervention providers, specialty providers, dentists, mental health providers, and other community programs.
  • Oversee the creation and update of the Health and Education Passport (HEP).
  • Provide psychotropic medication management and oversight.
  • Review and interpret medical records to assess the foster child’s health care needs.
  • Serve as a resource to social workers, caregivers, foster youth, and community health partners.

Health and Dental Exams

Many children in foster care have chronic medical conditions such as congenital diseases, cognitive abnormalities, vision and hearing problems, dental decay and poor nutrition. Frequently, children in foster care have had very limited health care. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce serious problems for children later in life.

  • All children and youth upon entering foster care are required to have a physical and dental exam within 30 days of placement.
  • Multiple periodic check-ups are required for foster children from birth through 36 months of age.
  • An annual physical exam is required for children and youth between 3 and 21-years-old.
  • All foster children 12-months of age and older are required to have a dental exam every 6 months.

What to take to medical appointments

  • Health Contact Form for the provider to complete (see Forms)
  • Health and Education Passport
  • Immunization Record (sometimes called yellow card)
  • Medi-Cal Card
  • Authorization for medical care
  • Any available health records
  • List of questions and concerns
  • Schedule and keep all necessary medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health appointments.
  • Take the child’s HEP to all medical appointments.
  • Submit the Health Contact form to the child’s social worker and to the HCPCFC Unit.
  • Please immediately notify the social worker and the PHN of any medical or medication changes, hospitalizations, or other health care concerns.

After each appointment, provide the completed Health Contact form to the child’s social worker and to the HCPCFC Unit.  You may send an encrypted email to the HCPCFC address, hcpcfc@kerncounty.com. You can also fax it to 661-633-7046.

  • Resource Parents must maintain follow-up appointments with the doctor who prescribed the medication. The child should be seen at least every 2 months. Ensure a follow-up appointment is scheduled.
  • Make sure that the child is taking the medication as prescribed.
  • Document medication administration, and note days/times the child refuses medication. Utilizing the medication administration record (MAR) is encouraged.
  • Inform the doctor, social worker, and public health nurse if a child refuses to take medications. Sudden discontinuation of medication may negatively impact the child’s health.
  • Observe for side effects and document details and dates on MAR. Pay attention to behaviors, appetite, and sleep.  Inform your foster child’s doctor, social worker, and PHN of any changes.  Call 911 if child experiences suicidal ideations, swelling, or breathing difficulties.
  • Ensure that medications are refilled in a timely manner. If you notice that the medication is running low, contact the doctor who prescribed the medication.  Do not wait until you are out of medication.
  • Expect periodic calls from the PHN. The HCPCFC public health nurses will help monitor for psychotropic medication efficacy and side effects. 

Health and Education Passport (HEP): In accordance with W&I Code §16010, a Health and Education Passport (HEP) is created for each child in foster care. The HEP document is used to track foster care children’s health history and includes all available past and current health, dental and education information. The HEP is shared with the resource parent and healthcare providers.

The HEP contains:

  • Summary of the child’s health and education information
  • Past medical history including birth history
  • Diagnoses
  • Medications
  • Hospitalizations
  • Well child exam and dental exam information
  • Immunization record 

You should notify the HCPCFC nurse whenever:

  • You have questions or concerns regarding the child’s health care needs.
  • You notice any major changes in the child’s health.
  • Anytime the child is admitted to the hospital.
  • You have questions about the child’s medication(s).
  • You need assistance with getting referrals and/or scheduling appointments with specialists.

Who do I call to connect with a public health nurse?

Please call 661-631-6835 or email hcpcfc@kerncounty.com to make contact with a HCPCFC nurse.

HCPCFC Health Unit 100 East California Ave Bakersfield 93307 P: (661) 631-6835 F: (661) 633-7046 hcpcfc@kerncounty.com.