Graduation Year
2024
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Abstract
Access to healthcare or medical services is a basic human right. Children in the foster care system often face barriers in accessing medical services and continuity of care. These children have lost their biological families who would typically advocate for their healthcare needs. Foster care presents a whole set of new challenges for children, biological families, and foster parents. Child protective services has over 8,000 children in foster care at any given time. Navigating the healthcare system is convoluted but adding the additional stress of foster care on top of navigating the healthcare system can be quite cumbersome. Child protective services employs regional nurse consultants who function as a resource to the vulnerable population of foster children and child protective services staff who act in the caretaking role. Initiating an efficient screening process when children enter foster care may assist in the identification of children entering the foster care system much sooner, ensure that a child’s medical needs are being addressed, and make possible referrals. Child protective service’s policy does not clearly define parameters for physical health screenings, nor who can perform a physical health screening. The purpose of this project is to improve an identified problem of lack of initial physical health screenings, as well as an evidence-based solution to ensure initial physical health screenings are completed, continuity of care, and ways to improve healthcare services.
Recommended Citation
Mondelli, Stephanie D., "Initial Physical Health Screenings for Children in Foster Care" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 101.
https://encompass.eku.edu/dnpcapstones/101
