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HealthWorks

Consistent Healthcare for Kids in Foster Care

When children enter foster care, their health history rarely comes with them. As a foster parent, you may not know if your child has a chronic health condition or even the last time he or she visited a doctor.

From day one, HealthWorks of Illinois connects your family to a dedicated Medical Case Manager. Rest assured, your child will receive continual, quality and compassionate care for the entire time he or she is with your family.

SIHF Healthcare is the lead agency for HealthWorks of Southwest Illinois, which serves foster children in the following counties:

  • Bond
  • Clinton
  • Madison
  • Monroe
  • Randolph
  • St. Clair
  • Washington

Through our network of SIHF Healthcare providers, private physicians, local health departments, and community-based agencies, we coordinate care for more than 1,000 children in our region each year.

Our Continuum of Care for Foster Children

  • Initial Health Screening - Children receive an immediate exam within 24 hours of entering custody. The screening identifies any urgent healthcare needs. It also provides medical information to determine the best placement for the child.
  • Comprehensive Health Evaluation - Children undergo a full health evaluation by a HealthWorks provider within 21 days of custody. This includes an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment program (EPSDT). The evaluation also includes vision, hearing and dental exams. Children over five years old receive a mental health screening.
  • eHealth Passport - All children receive a summary of their available medical history after the comprehensive health evaluation is completed. This passport serves as their portable medical record. It follows the child to every doctor visit where it will be continually updated.
  • A Network of Caring Providers - SIHF Healthcare has relationships with providers across the region. They understand the unique challenges foster families face and offer the best in pediatric and family care.
  • Medical Case Management - Children newborn to six years of age are assigned a Medical Case Manager through their local health department. The manager serves as their healthcare advocate and informs families about services in their community.

For more information on securing quality healthcare for your foster children, call SIHF Healthcare at 618.332.8917 or 618.332.0041, or contact your local health department:

HealthWorks of Illinois is a collaborative effort with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The primary purpose of HealthWorks is to ensure that DCFS wards from birth to age 21 who are in substitute care receive comprehensive, quality healthcare services, as mandated by BH Consent Decree.