Arkansas' health screening process

In Arkansas, eighty-nine percent of children entering foster care receive a health screening within 24 hours. The state hopes to increase that outcome to 95 percent. Eighty-seven percent of children who entered foster care between May 2007 and April 2008 and remained in care for at least 60 days received comprehensive health assessments within the required timeframe. This is an increase of 29 percent over the previous year. The state is developing electronic health records for foster children through the Medicaid system. Finally, the state has organized a workgroup to provide oversight of children's medication.  Read more.

The Fostering Connections Resource Center gratefully acknowledges the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators for providing this and other summaries of state approaches that appear on this site. Please visit NAPCWA for a complete summary of implementation activities.