Consistent Health Coverage and Care: Supporting Health, Wellbeing, and Successful Transitions for Children and Youth in Foster Care

To be healthy and thrive, children and youth need consistent health coverage and care that is supportive, affirming, and inclusive. Continuity of care makes it easier to get preventive services on time, improves health outcomes, and builds trust between young people, families, and providers. When children can stay connected to the same providers over time, they receive care that responds to their changing needs as they grow and move through key stages of development. Providers who understand a child’s health history and family experiences are better able to deliver effective, responsive care. This brief examines the barriers to health coverage faced by children and youth involved with the child welfare system and offers solutions to ensure consistent coverage and care. These solutions support healthy development and well-being, help reduce the harms of family separation, promote permanency, strengthen family stability after reunification, adoption, or guardianship, and support a successful transition to adulthood for young people aging out of foster care.

Read the full compendium in the Consistent Health Coverage and Care series here.