NCJ Number
201809
Date Published
March 2002
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This report identifies the health-care needs and obstacles to health-care access for youth in California's foster care and juvenile justice systems and offers recommendations for improvement.
Abstract
The children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems are likely to come from low-income, minority families and are likely to come into these systems with health problems that stem from inadequate medical care. Access to health care for youth in and just exiting these systems is typically granted through Federal entitlement programs, the costs and implementation of which are shared by the State and county. Youths in custody in the juvenile justice system, however, are not eligible for Federal assistance. Although there is some State funding for the medical services for youth in the juvenile justice system, most of the burden falls to the counties, whose resources are already stretched to the limit. Given the shortcomings of government health-care assistance programs, the management and implementation of health care is slow, inefficient, and often unsuccessful. In addition, dental and vision care are low priorities and difficult to obtain. Lack of attention to cultural diversity and gender also hinders access to health care. Recommendations offered pertain to policy, programs, and research. They focus on health coverage systems change, continuity of care and medical records, juvenile justice and foster care reform, parental and community involvement, research and evaluation, and technical assistance and dissemination of information. 3 tables and 31 references