Identifying medically fragile children and planning for their needs is critical to ensuring child safety. Over half of the children in the child welfare system have at least one medical concern; many have two or more chronic health conditions. DHS has hired nurses to help social workers ensure the health and safety of children in their caseload.
DHS is working to ensure the safety of medically vulnerable children in our care by ensuring that their needs are met. The Department has added a nursing unit that provides consultation to social workers so they can better plan for the needs of children and families with medical issues.
The nursing unit:
Helps to identify children with chronic and acute health needs
Helps social workers better understand medical issues related to a child in their case loads.
Makes home visits to help social workers better assess the medical needs of children and families in their care.
Helps staff incorporate medical information into Family and Individual Service Plans
Provides care coordination and advocacy by following-up with primary care providers, specialists or other members of the health care team or attending hospital discharge planning meetings.
Coordinates information sharing with provider staff
Appears in court as needed
Obtains collateral information during investigation
Has developed a protocol to assess the capacity of caregivers for children with chronic and/or acute health needs who are either returning home from placement or returning to placement from a hospital stay.
Develops screening criteria and protocols
Provides staff training
Child Welfare Review Panel Report