Kern County, CA

Resource Parent Support

• Foster Parent FAQs
• Resource Family Approval
• Adoption Resources

Forms

• Health Contact Form
• Medication Administration Record (MAR)

Keeping Children Safe

• Safe Sleep
• Childhood Illness and Injury Prevention Program
• Car Seat Program
• Water Watchers
• Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby)
• Poison Control
• Choking Hazards
• Immunizations
• Dental Providers and Resources
• California Children's Services (CCS)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Regional Center

Foster Youth Resources

• Need Help Now
• Dream Center
• Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) Information
• Foster Youth Wellness
• Foster Care Bill of Rights
• Child Abuse Reporting

• 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 an HCPCFC nurse.