Improving Healthcare for Foster Children

When a child enters the foster care system in Missouri, our state temporarily takes on the role of the parent in their life. We have the responsibility to provide them with a safe home, quality medical care, and education and career services to prepare them for the future.

To ensure that children receive these necessary services, Voices for Children represents abused and neglected foster children in court and in the community. The organization’s advocates, including social workers, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers, and child advocacy attorneys, serve nearly 600 of the 1,500 St. Louis children in foster care.

At the recent Voice of Hope Breakfast, members of the organization highlighted the importance of giving foster children a voice by appointing someone to get to know their situation and fight for their best interests. Children with an advocate are more likely to receive proper care and be either reunited with their families or adopted.

The average child in foster care will move at least three times and attend nine schools by age 18, and 68% of the children served by Voices for Children have experienced physical abuse. Having a stable advocate to rely on can make a tremendous difference in a child’s life.

Since many children in the foster care system have had difficult upbringings, they are more likely to be diagnosed with psychological disorders, educational delays, and physical health problems.

Unfortunately, foster children often receive uncoordinated and subpar medical care, especially if they move homes frequently. The Interim Committee on Improving Government Responsiveness and Efficiency, which I chair, heard testimony on creating a pilot project in the St. Louis area to better oversee foster children’s healthcare.

SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital proposed creating the Medical Home for Children in Foster Care (MHCFC) to coordinate the medical care provided to foster children. The children would have access to a primary care physician, and Nurse Navigators would compile their medical records and help them receive recommended services.

As the next legislative session approaches, I will continue looking into ways to deliver more comprehensive medical services to children in foster care. As these children’s temporary caregiver, the state must ensure that their healthcare needs never fall through the cracks.