How we work with primary care providers

The Fostering Health Program is designed to support the efforts of primary care providers in their care of children in foster care. Our goal is to ensure care coordination between health and child welfare sectors as well as within the healthcare system. When care has been interrupted, the Fostering Health Program can facilitate information gathering  from prior health care providers, foster caregivers and community agencies. After the comprehensive health assessment, our multidisciplinary team works to summarize medical needs and initial recommendations. A “medical passport” is developed to summarize the child’s health history and needs. The nurse care coordinator provides foster caregivers with information about the medical home and facilitates connections or re-connections for ongoing care. For the purposes of ongoing care, communications to the primary care provider include summary letter and the medical passport at the completion of the FHP assessment.

Referring a child to the Fostering Health Program

Anyone can refer a child to the Fostering Health Program. Many of our referrals come from the Department of Human Services (DHS) or Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs). We also welcome referrals from primary care providers. To make a referral, call 267-426-0982.

If you have concerns about any child and want to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect, call your local Department of Human Services:

• PA: 1-800-932-0313
• NJ: 1-877-652-2873
• DE: 1-800-292-9582

For general inquiries about the program or to reach members of the team, you can call the Fostering Health Program at 267-426-5005.

Additional resources

The following resources can support primary care physicians and other professionals caring for foster children:

• CHOP Pathway for Medical Evaluation of Child Entering Foster Care: CHOP’s clinical pathway for the medical evaluation of a child entering foster care starts with the initial visit with the end goal of establishing ongoing care with a medical home. The pathway includes details about trauma-informed care, immunizations, recommended labs and screening tools, and a variety of related resources for providers and families.
• Healthy Foster Care America (HFCA): HFCA is an initiative of the AAP and its partners to improve the health and well-being outcomes of children and teens in foster care. This site links to a broad array of resources for practitioners, including an overview of health issues related to foster care, tips for creating a foster care friendly practice, clinical forms, insurance information and advocacy opportunities.
• Fostering Health: Healthcare for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care: Developed by the AAP Task Force on Foster Care, this manual details standards of healthcare for children and adolescents in foster care. It includes specific chapters for primary care, mental health, and child abuse professionals.
• Healthcare Issues for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care and Kinship Care: This AAP policy statement outlines healthcare needs of children in foster care, barriers to adequate care, and approaches to healthcare delivery. Trauma-informed care and care coordination are discussed. Recommendations for foster children’s healthcare are made on individual, pediatric practice, and system levels.
• Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Healthcare: Foster Care and Health in the U.S.: This journal issue provides comprehensive reviews the healthcare status of children in foster care, trauma-informed care, aging out of foster care, and national policies related to foster care.
• SAMHSA National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI): This program provides technical assistance and training on trauma-informed care to service providers, as well as trauma-related resources such as helplines and a behavioral health treatment locator.
• Center on Developing Child at Harvard University: This Harvard portal features scientific research and public policy related to early childhood adversity. It includes brief overviews of concepts such as “toxic stress” from early childhood versus healthier “positive stress” responses; early intervention strategies to help mitigate the effects of toxic stress; and guidance on early intervention efforts.
• Child Trauma Academy: This nonprofit organization offers online courses on scientifically-informed methods for working with at-risk children, as well as a library of articles related to child trauma.
• Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope with Trauma: This is a guide for pediatricians to identify traumatized children in foster and adoptive families and to support their families by sharing knowledge about the manifestations of trauma and offering coping strategies. The site includes helpful handouts that may be printed out for families.
• CHOP's PolicyLab: Find CHOP-guided research and policy recommendations on many different children’s health issues, including foster children.