Improving Information Sharing for Youth in Foster Care

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Children in protective custody experience higher rates of medical, behavioral, and developmental issues.
• Existing information gaps between child protective services and healthcare providers hinder effective care coordination.
• Lack of health history access for child welfare agencies and caregivers leads to medication errors, delayed immunizations, and poor chronic disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of an information sharing system between healthcare and child welfare organizations.
• To address critical gaps in health care delivery for children in protective custody.
• To improve health and child protection outcomes through enhanced data exchange.

Main Methods:

• Case study approach detailing the development of an information sharing system.
• Collaboration with child protective services and community partners.
• Exploration of recommended steps for improved information sharing.

Main Results:

• Identified four key steps for successful information sharing: shared vision, defining shareable data, implementing approaches, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated a successful example of advocating for improved information sharing for youth in protective custody.
• Highlighted the potential for pediatricians to enhance care through collaboration with child protective services.

Conclusions:

• Effective information sharing systems are crucial for vulnerable children in protective custody.
• Collaboration between healthcare providers and child welfare agencies can significantly improve health care delivery.
• Implementing structured steps can lead to successful information exchange, benefiting both health and child protection outcomes.