The primary purpose of this project is to improve the health care outcomes for culturally diverse children in foster care who have special health care needs, by creating a collaborative, coordinated, family-centered system of health care. A training video is presently in development focusing on access to care for children in foster care. Also in development are guides for foster parents, social workers, and pediatricians. This method of tracking health records for foster children is scheduled to pilot in Spring 2000. The project is also placing a great deal of effort toward training community agencies and health care providers on the medical home concept.
Educational materials aimed toward medical students and residents are in development.
Strategies demonstrated and evaluated in these communities will be replaceable elsewhere. The clinic staff consists of a pediatrician, care coordinator, educator or developmental pediatrician, social worker, and psychiatrist as needed. A developmental play group has been initiated for children ages 0-3 years. The play group is directed by an early childhood educator who provides transitional services for children awaiting early intervention services and for at-risk children who do not qualify for early intervention. Parent group meetings are offered every two weeks to provide parents with educational opportunities and to give parents the opportunity to meet with and support other parents of children with special needs.