Fostering Health Clinic
Children entering the foster care system or being removed from their homes often have health needs. Through Cook Children's Fostering Health program, these children receive timely and thorough medical care.
Starting April 18, Cook Children's Fostering Health Clinic will serve you in an improved area at the Dodson Specialty Clinics. Please use the new P1 garage to park and check in at the new location of Dodson Central Registration. If you have any questions, just ask us. We're here for you every step! Download map.
Our team follows the American Academy of Pediatrics' health care recommendations to provide a health screening within three business days and a well-child checkup within 30 days of the child's removal. During these visits, our team assess behavioral and developmental health care needs. We provide care coordination between medical and mental health providers and act as a continued resource for the children, as well as, foster and biological parents.
Program overview
- Provide a medical screening within three business days of removal
- Assess the child's overall health for evidence of abuse
- Ensure patient continues routine medicines and help with refills and equipment if necessary
- Document behavior changes
- Provide sick and well-child visits
- Coordinate with Department of Family and Protective Services and child placement agencies
- Complete medical assessments
- Complete developmental assessments
- Complete behavioral assessments
- Connect children to services such as physical and occupational therapy, behavioral health and specialist visits
- Help caregivers access health care services
Services provided
- Provide care coordination between caregivers and primary care physicians, specialists, therapists and behavioral health
- Help establish a primary care medical home
- Provide sick and well-child visits
- Coordinate with Department of Family and Protective Services and child placement agencies
Meet our team
In order to provide the best care possible, our team includes a care coordinator, nurse practitioner and child abuse pediatrician.
Nurse Practitioner
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Sandy Johnson
RN, FNP-C
Care Coordinator/Health Navigator
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Lorie Palacios
LMSW
Medical Assistant
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Jackie Herrera
MA
Therapy Dog
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Kitty
Sit...Stay....Play therapy dog, and comfort specialist
Schedule an appointment
Caregivers, Child Protective Services representatives and providers can call 682-303-6800 and ask for the fostering health care coordinator or email fosteringhealth@cookchildrens.org.