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Genetic services for foster children: an unmet need?
1School of Social Work and Community Planning, University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Child Welfare
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Genetic services can help children in foster care, but current offerings are insufficient. This study highlights the need for better access to genetic testing and support for these vulnerable families.
Area of Science:
- Child welfare genetics
- Genetic disorder diagnosis
- Genetic services utilization
Background:
- The genetics revolution offers new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.
- Child welfare systems face unique challenges in addressing genetic disorders.
- Access to genetic services for children in out-of-home care is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the prevalence of diagnosed genetic disorders in children in out-of-home care.
- To assess the unmet need for genetic services among this population.
- To examine the utilization of existing genetic services.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory study design.
- Data collection in two urban settings.
- Analysis of diagnosed genetic disorders and referral criteria for genetic services.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of children in out-of-home care have diagnosed genetic disorders.
- Many children met criteria for referral to genetic services but did not receive them.
- Underutilization of beneficial genetic services was observed.
Conclusions:
- Current genetic services are not adequately meeting the needs of children in foster care.
- There is a critical gap in the provision of genetic services for foster children and their families.
- Implications for improving child welfare practice and policy regarding genetic care are discussed.