PA-FC 10: Physical and Mental Health Care
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Children receive all necessary health, dental, developmental, and mental health examinations and treatment within appropriate timeframes.
Health care services are coordinated for each child to ensure:
- continuity of care;
- receipt of comprehensive healthcare services;
- appropriate communication among health care providers; and
- foster parents and families receive needed information and support.
Interpretation: When possible, children should continue receiving healthcare services from familiar providers, and a
medical home should be established for each child with special health care needs.
Interpretation: Agencies that have the responsibility for placing Indian children should be aware of health care services that the child may have access to through tribally contracted health facilities or through the federal Indian Health Service. The agency should work with the tribe or a local
Indian organization to ensure they have access to needed medical information.
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Research Note: A study of foster parent retention suggests that the difficulty some foster parents have accessing medical providers and dentists who accept Medicaid contributes to foster parent turnover. |
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The child’s relevant health information, including
family medical history, is recorded in an efficient and secure system and shared with providers and foster parents, as appropriate.
Interpretation: Medical passports and electronic medical records systems can be used to store and share health information. The agency should have mechanisms in place for cross-agency information sharing that respects
confidentiality.
Qualified professionals provide the child with age-appropriate health services including:
- medical examinations according to well child guidelines;
- dental examinations every 6 months;
- developmental, mental health, and alcohol and drug screenings within 30 days after entry into care, and when indicated to identify the need for further diagnostic assessment; and
- needed therapeutic and treatment services.
Interpretation: See Recommendations for Preventative Health Care published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Interpretation: When documentation of recent examinations is unavailable or incomplete, the agency must ensure that examinations are completed within 30 days after entry into care. Medical assessments include, as appropriate to the child’s age and circumstances: lead exposure, TB testing, and HIV/STD risk assessment screening. Dental assessments should be provided for children over age 3.
Interpretation: The agency should recognize the value of incorporating culturally-grounded interventions into the
treatment plan, and include traditional
practices or customs of the child’s
culture, tribe, or faith-based
community to the greatest extent possible and appropriate. Whenever possible, Indian children should receive health services from qualified professionals who have experience working with the tribe and knowledge of tribal customs and practices.
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Research Note: Literature suggests that the experience of maltreatment and the trauma of being removed from parental care place children at risk of psychological and developmental problems. Research has shown that children in foster care are more likely than other children to have significant medical and mental health needs. Some research suggests that despite regulations and policies requiring the provision of comprehensive and routine healthcare, many children do not receive routine and specialized services. |
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Youth receive age appropriate support and education regarding:
- pregnancy prevention and responsible parenthood; and
- prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Prior to discharge, the child receives assistance to maintain or obtain:
- health insurance;
- health records;
- medical, dental, developmental, mental health, and substance use treatment services; and
- needed medication.
Interpretation: The agency should provide information regarding alternative health care options when insurance coverage is not available, and provide assistance to promote access to coverage, including coverage provided through the child’s tribal affiliation when one has been established.
