Philadelphia children in substitute care often experience fragmentation of their physical and behavioral health care. The absence of a central repository for health information can have a highly negative effect on the continuity of physical and mental health care for children in out-of-home placement. Key Philadelphia child welfare stakeholders have voiced frustration and dissatisfaction regarding the current health care system for children in substitute care. 1) A task force including members from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Division of Early Childhood, Youth and Women' Health, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, and LaSalle Neighborhood Nursing Center, designed and implemented a Pilot Project to develop a computerized health information system for children in the custody of the Philadelphia child welfare system. The primary goal of the Pilot Project is to produce an abbreviated health document or "Medical Passport" providing a concise summary of vital medical, psychological, and family health information about the child in foster care. Information from the foster child's Passport will be shared with foster parents, DHS social workers, private child welfare agency social workers, and the child's biological parents Crucial to the success of the project is gathering and applying information regarding Medical Passport Systems currently being successfully implemented in other states for communicating and disseminating critical health information to foster care system stakeholders. The ability of these stakeholders to obtain accurate, timely health information about children in substitute care is critical in delivering quality health care services Philadelphia children in substitute care.
Learning Objectives: 1)List five indicators why a child welfare system needs to improve the delivery of health care services to children in substitute care? 2)Discuss the 'Medical Passport Model' as one alternative to improve the health status of children in substitute care. 3)Describe the process for creating an abbreviated health document for a foster child. 4)Apply the Medical Passport Model to information technology: 'Smart Cards' or 'Electronic Medical Records'.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Health Care Delivery
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services, City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health- Division of Early Childhood, Youth, and Women's Health, LaSalle Nursing School, and Philadelphia Health Management Corporation.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.