Foundations Foster Care Clinic
Medical support for foster care children
Transitions during foster care placement are often complicated and difficult for children and caregivers alike. It can be a time of both hope and uncertainty for the child. During this time, it's important to gather a full picture of a child's wellbeing, from physical to mental to emotional health.
With this in mind, the Foundations Foster Care Clinic at Children's Mercy believes in building a healthy foundation for children in foster care. We provide screenings and evaluations for any child who has been placed in foster care in Missouri or Kansas.
Exams and screenings
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children placed in foster care are examined within 72 hours of being placed and that they receive a comprehensive exam within 30 days. Many children in the foster care system may not have had access to regular medical care, so it's important for them to be seen by a medical professional to get a baseline of their health.
Scheduling
To schedule an appointment, please call (816) 302-8193. Please have available the child's name and birthdate, foster parent's name and address, the case worker's name and phone number, primary care physician (if available), and Medicaid number.
In addition to individual appointments, we are also able to see sibling groups in foster care at the same appointment.
What to expect
The initial appointment typically takes about one hour. It includes a head-to-toe medical exam, hearing and vision screening, immunizations if needed, and blood work. We also screen for depression and developmental health and will refer to any specialty care that we determine is necessary. If the child needs any prescriptions, we can assist with that as well. Our team works to organize your child's medical history so you have a comprehensive record of health available.
We will also see children for a follow-up exam at a later date. That visit lasts 30 minutes and include a medical exam, developmental and mental-health screening, and a referral to a primary-care provider, if needed. After two visits, we refer your child to a primary care provider so they can begin establishing a relationship with a long-term medical home.