The Pediatrician and the Child in Foster Care

Caring for children in foster care, as for any child who has complex issues, is challenging and sometimes daunting. The pediatrician should become familiar with the intricacies of foster care agencies and the consent and confidentiality issues for children in dependent care. While maintaining communication with the social services agency, the physician should assume the responsibility for health care case management to promote regular comprehensive preventive health care; to ensure that children in foster care have access to all necessary services; and to optimize the physical, emotional, developmental, and mental health status of children placed into dependent care.