Program/Project Name

Cook Children's Fostering Health Program

Affiliation Name

N/A

Website URL

https://www.cookchildrens.org/services/fostering-health/

Model Type

Medical Home

City

Fort Worth

State

TX

State specific location

Hospital based clinic

How is program/project funded?

Foundation Funding,Health Insurance

Describe how it's funded

What services does it provide: Entry to care health assessment,Comprehensive health assessment,Standardize screening (developmental/mental health),In-clinic mental health evaluation,Subspecialty referrals,Ongoing primary care/medical home

What services does it provide?

Entry to care health assessment,Comprehensive health assessment,Standardize screening (developmental/mental health),In-clinic mental health evaluation,Subspecialty referrals,Ongoing primary care/medical home

Where does it provide services?

Locally-based

Description of program/project

The Cook Children’s Fostering Health Program functions as a primary care medical home and provides complete healthcare for children through the age of twenty-one, from the time the patient enters foster or kinship care until they find a permanent home. We offer comprehensive appointments in a collaborative, trauma-informed environment to children and teens with unique needs ranging from complex medical conditions to in-utero drug and alcohol exposure, to victims of physical and sexual abuse. We provide care coordination by locating medical and vaccine history, completing behavioral and developmental assessments, coordinating referrals and sub-specialty visits, and serving as a continued resource for the children as well as foster, kinship, and biological parents. Our integrated team includes pediatricians, nurse practitioners, nursing staff, CPS liaisons, a social worker, and an office coordinator.

How are patients tracked?

Commercial electronic medical record

Does the program provide special focus?

Substance use and abuse,Developmental delay/issues,Mental health,Developmental Issues,Children in family foster care,Youth in group home/residential care,Young Children,Adolescents

Program/Project strengths

The team at Cook Children’s Fostering Health Program collaborates closely with caregivers, Child Protective Services, child placement agencies, CASA workers, Superior Health plan, and others to ensure complete healthcare for every child. The dedicated team has received specialized training in trauma informed care, and the team works in parallel with the Cook Children’s C.A.R.E. Team to help treat and care for victims of neglect, drug exposure, and abuse.

Program/Project challenges

It continues to be a challenge to locate certain specialties in both physical and mental health due to services not being adequately reimbursable through Superior Medicaid.

Contact Name

Elizabeth Peeler

Email Address

[email protected]

Phone Number

817-404-7702

Last Updated

01/02/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics