For more information call 619-692-8808 or send us an email. 

Purpose: This program fulfills the requirements of the Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I Code) §16501.3, for children in foster care. Public Health Nurses collaborate with social workers, probation officers, the medical community, and substitute care providers to overcome barriers preventing children in foster care from accessing appropriate preventive health care and treatment of identified health problems.

Services

The County of San Diego Public Health Nurses (PHNs) work directly with Child Welfare Services (CWS) Social Workers and the Juvenile Probation Department Probation Officers to provide health care coordination activities for children in foster care. CWS, Probation, and PHNs work to ensure that all children in foster care receive the required medical and dental exam within 30 days of entry or placement, as well as continuing routine medical and dental exams, as stated in the Health and Safety Code § 124025-124110; Child Welfare Services Manual of Policies and Procedures Division 31-206.36 - .361.  

• Medical Exams: Depending on the child's age, a child's medical exam may include: medical history and physical, dental assessment, nutrition assessment, developmental/behavioral assessment, anticipatory guidance, body measurements, hearing and vision screening, specific procedures/tests, and/or other laboratory tests as found to be necessary.
• Dental Exams: Oral health exam and oral health education by a California licensed dentist or registered dental hygienist.
• Health and Education Passport (HEP): In accordance with W&I Code §16010, a Health and Education Passport (HEP) is created for each child in foster care. The HEP document is used to track foster care children’s health history and includes all available past and current health, dental and education information. The HEP is shared with the foster parent, biological parent, and healthcare providers, and the youth upon exiting foster care.
• Education and Trainings: PHNs provide education to social workers, probation officers, juvenile court judges, attorneys, school nurses, physicians, and others about the special health care needs of children in foster care.

Additional Resources and Links

• Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care Flyer
• Health Exams for Children in Foster Care Brochure
• Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program: Information about no-cost well-child exams.
• Child Welfare Services (CWS): Information about CWS in San Diego County.
• Juvenile Probation: Information about juvenile probation in San Diego County.
• California Department of Health Care Services: Information about the California state HCPCFC.
• California Department of Social Services, Children and Family Services Division: Information on the Division's services, including assistance in adoptions, foster care, Children's services, and Child Welfare.

For more information call 619-692-8808 or send us an email. 

Webpage last updated 01/05/2023