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Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care

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Welcome to the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC). HCPCFC is a public health nursing program located in county child welfare service agencies and probation departments to provide public health nurse (PHN) expertise in meeting the medical, dental, mental and developmental needs of children and youth in foster care.

The local Child Health and Disability Prevention program (CHDP) is administratively reponsible for HCPCFC.

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.

Our Services

Through the HCPCFC, public health nurses, under the supervision of a supervising public health nurse (SPHN), provide the following services in consultation and collaboration with social workers and probation officers:

Medical and health care case planning;
Help foster caregivers to obtain timely comprehensive health assessments and dental examinations;
Expedite referrals for medical, dental, mental health and developmental services;
Coordinate health services for children in out-of-county and out-of-state placements;
Provide 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;
Participate in the creation and updating of the Health and Education Passport for every child as required by law.