Summarizes a multiyear study of promising strategies designed to meet the physical, mental, emotional, developmental, and dental health care needs of children in foster care. The study, conducted by the Georgetown University Child Development Center, analyzed data from site visits and extensive telephone interviews and reviewed existing and proposed health care standards to arrive at 11 essential components of a successful community-based system. These components are: (1) initial screening and comprehensive health assessment; (2) access to health care services and treatment; (3) management of health care data and information; (4) coordination of care; (5) collaboration among systems; (6) family involvement; (7) attention to cultural issues; (8) monitoring and evaluation; (9) training and education; (10) funding strategies; and (11) designing managed care to fit the needs of children in the child welfare system. Rarely has a single state or community incorporated all of these components. Among the features contributing to a successful health care system for these foster children are: increased reimbursement rates for providers; direct access to specialty care; standardized health records; satisfaction surveys; therapeutic interventions based in the child?s culture; Medicaid care management resources; special state budget allocations; and oversight of providers.
