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Medical foster family care: a cost-effective solution to a community problem
Child Welfare
|July 1, 1984
Insights
A medical foster family care program offers a cost-effective alternative to extended hospitalization for abused and neglected children. This program provides a nurturing home environment and parental support, facilitating family reunification.
Area of Science:
- Child Welfare
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Social Work
Background:
- Extended hospitalization of abused and neglected children presents significant challenges.
- High costs associated with prolonged medical care for vulnerable children.
- Need for alternative care models to support family reunification.
Observation:
- A subset of abused and neglected children required extended hospitalization.
- Current hospitalization practices were deemed unnecessary for some children.
- Significant financial burden associated with prolonged inpatient care.
Findings:
- Establishment of a medical foster family care program.
- Program provides a home environment and parental support.
- Demonstrated lower cost compared to extended hospitalization.
Implications:
- Facilitates family reunification for abused and neglected children.
- Offers a more cost-effective approach to pediatric care.
- Highlights the potential of specialized foster care in child welfare outcomes.
Abstract:
In response to the special needs of a small number of abused and neglected children who were being cared for by unnecessary extended hospitalization, a medical foster family care program was established, at much lower cost, to provide the children with a home environment and assist their parents so that family reunification was possible.