One Child at a Time: The Role of the Foster Care Public Health Nurse

March 4, 2008 – Doubletree Hotel Sacramento
*Group Rate Extended to February 15, 2008

 

The Department of Health Care Services, Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Branch in partnership with the California Department of Social Services will conduct a statewide training conference for the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP), Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC). The overall purpose of the training is to enhance the role of the foster care public health nurse (PHN) in meeting the physical, mental, dental, and developmental needs of children in California’s child welfare system, with overarching themes of leadership and care coordination.

 

Leadership: One of the goals of the training conference is to bring together HCPCFC PHNs and other professionals to share up-to-date learning experiences, increase knowledge and receive training on subjects relevant to the health and welfare of California’s children in foster care. The focal point for the training will be to enhance the day-to-day skills of the HCPCFC PHNs and other foster care professionals in the areas of communication, collaboration, advocacy, and negotiations in all areas of foster care.  This year's training is aimed at recognizing and learning from professionals and organizations serving California’s foster care children.

 

Care Coordination: All foster care children in California deserve timely, coordinated, comprehensive, and developmentally sensitive services provided in a manner that is both continuous and integrated. Continuity of health care for all foster children includes primary, secondary, and tertiary services, all which need to be coordinated and work in conjunction with state and local authorities.  The HCPCFC PHNs play a vital role in the foster care child’s overall health and welfare and are advocates for the health care needs of all foster children. This training will provide the HCPCFC PHNs with the necessary guidance and resources to ensure that children in foster care receive the full range of preventive and therapeutic services for which they are eligible.