Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC)

The Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC), provides the Child Welfare Services (CWS) Division and the Juvenile Probation Department with public health nursing expertise in meeting the needs of children in Foster Care.

The program has established a process through which PHNs consult and collaborate with the foster care team to promote access to comprehensive preventive health and specialty services. Through the HCPCFC, a public health nurse provides the following services in consultation and collaboration with social workers and probation officers:

• Medical and health care case planning.
• Helps foster caregivers to obtain timely comprehensive health assessments and dental examinations.
• Expedites referrals for medical, dental, mental health and developmental services.
• Coordinates health services for children in out-of-county and out-of-state placements.
• Provides medical education through the interpretation of medical reports and training for foster team members on the special health care needs of children and youth in foster care.
• Participates in the creation and updating of the Health and Education Passport for every child as required by law. 

Resources:

• State DHCS Web site
• Child Welfare Services