Foster Care Evaluation Services
Children in foster care are more likely to be in poor health compared to children outside the child welfare system, but often do not receive the recommended medical treatment and screenings that could address and improve this disparity. The Foster Care Evaluation Services (FaCES) program helps the
Massachusetts Department of Social Services improve health care for this vulnerable population in Central Massachusetts by providing comprehensive screening, medical evaluation and case management services.
Our experienced treatment teams are comprised of professionals with particular skill in caring for the complex needs of the foster care population. Children in foster care frequently experience higher rates of emotional and behavioral problems, chronic physical disabilities, birth defects, developmental delays and school problems. We provide coordinated case management—from patient intake and medical examinations to referral services and follow-up—and compile the information in a secure and detailed clinical database.
FaCES was designed to remedy a number of critical deficiencies in the care of this population. These include supporting state compliance with existing screening recommendations for foster care children, improving case management by linking all stakeholders, and improving uniformity in both diagnosis and treatment of these children’s unique issues.
We overcome these challenges by building partnerships between public agencies, clinical care providers, and academic and consulting resources, including the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The result is high quality, consistent medical care for children in foster care in Central Massachusetts, greater foster parent satisfaction, and improved compliance with state recommended screenings and medical evaluations.