SIU’s Center for Family Medicine has opened a clinic specifically for foster children that offers a variety of services including mental health resources and checkups.
SIU Opens Clinic For Foster Kids
University Says It's The Only Clinic Of Its Kind In The Area
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University's medical school has opened a specialty clinic to serve children in the foster care system with the goal of reducing disruptions in their health care.
The university's Center for Family Medicine opened the Kids Health Harbor clinic earlier this month, The State Journal-Register reported. University officials say it's the first and only clinic of its kind in the area.
Children in foster care can experience gaps in health care when they're moved from home to home, which can be a chaotic experience that causes emotional trauma, said Rebecca Howard, a pediatric nurse practitioner and the clinic's primary provider.
"Each new home may mean starting over with a new medical provider, delays and loss of medications or medical supplies," she said.
The clinic offers a variety of services including comprehensive checkups, ongoing patient care, dietary guidance and mental health resources. Illinois' medical program pays for foster children's medical care, Howard said.
"Our goal is to provide holistic care and comprehensive care," she said. "We do a lot of education of the foster families about navigating the health care system."
The clinic works with the state Department of Children and Family Services and local social workers to ensure children can get medical care and medications quickly, Howard said.
Bethany Caldwell of Springfield has turned to the clinic to treat her two foster children and two of her adopted children.
"I think this is a wonderful idea," said Caldwell, 37. "Becky is wonderfully caring and compassionate ... for a population that often can be overlooked."
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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com
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