Population Health Clerkship Team: Adoption and Foster Care

1. Team faculty:

Martha Henry, Ph D
Director of Office of Foster Care and Adoption
508-856-8593
martha.henry@umassmed.edu
333 South Street Shrewsbury MA 01545

Michael McManus LICSW, MSW
Director of Training, Office of Foster Care and Adoption
508-856-2575
michael.mcmanus@umassmed.edu
333 South Street Shrewsbury MA 01545

2. Defining characteristics
a. The population of primary interest for this team is:

Children, Youth and Adults who have been impacted by Adoption and Foster Care. Clerkship will include information about birth parents, adoptive/foster parents, children and youth who are all part of the adoption and/or foster care constellations.

b. The health issue affecting this population on which this team will focus is:

Individuals who have been adopted or are placed in foster care may experience a lack of medical records or history. Children and youth in out-of-home care experience unique health care needs. This clerkship will explore the impact of the trauma and loss experienced by our population and how this impacts their physical and mental health. This clerkship will cover the lifespan of all of the above individuals.

c. The primary sites and locations at which the team will spend their time are:

Office of Foster Care and Adoption offices at South Street Campus, Shrewsbury

d. Primary student activities

Students will participate in meetings/discussion groups, research and activities with stakeholders and content experts. Students will also spend time visiting community child welfare agencies.

e. Specific logistical details e.g. housing, transportation, etc.

Students should have access to transportation to get to south street campus and for site visits.

f. Maximum number of students on team

6-8

3. Resources:
a. Web resources relevant for this population and/or health issue

http://www.umassmed.edu/adoption

http://www.umassmed.edu/adoption/for-professionals/resources.aspx

http://www.umassmed.edu/adoption/for-professionals/working-with-children/index.aspx

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2agencylanding&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Children+and+Families&sid=Eeohhs2


b. Links to relevant agency reports

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2pressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eeohhs2&b=pressrelease&f=091113_dcf_annual_report&csid=Eeohhs2

Henry, M. J., & Pollack, D. (2009). Adoption in the United States: A reference for families, professionals and students. Lyceum Books: Chicago.
Henry, M. J., Pollack, D., & Lazare, A. (2007). Teaching medical students about adoption and foster care. Adoption Quarterly, 10(1), 45-61.

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/ftinterface~db=all~content=a903239284~fulltext=713240930