Health services for California's foster children: current practices and policy recommendations

The organization and delivery of health services to children in foster care was investigated in 14 California counties in 1985. Foster care administrators, child welfare workers, foster parents, and health care providers responded to questionnaires and structured interviews performed by two pediatricians knowledgeable about the child welfare system. The organization of health services demonstrated a high degree of variability between counties. Although some counties initially evaluate all dependent children using specific protocols and examinations sites, more often services were poorly organized, fragmented, and had few safeguards to ensure delivery of appropriate health care. Use of recommended Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment services was also variable, and counties could not provide documentation of use rates by foster children. Even less consistent was the performance of routine initial mental health assessments. Financial disincentives, fewer available providers, difficulties in obtaining and using Medicaid-reimbursed services, and fragmentation of services were frequently identified as barriers to access. To improve the organization and delivery of services, access barriers must be diminished, services must be better organized and integrated, and new financing mechanisms must be developed. Specific policy recommendations are presented.