February 15, 2010

Electronic Information Exchange for Children in Foster Care: A Roadmap to Improved Outcomes

This report by The Children's Partnership analyzed the State of California's options for creating an electronic information exchange focused on children in the foster care system. The authors said the state is at an optimal point for developing such a system because it is engaged in three information exchange initiatives, including development of a statewide health information exchange, modernizing its Medicaid Management Information System, and redesigning its Child Welfare Services/Case Management System. Each of the three initiatives has received funding to permit the state deploy technology allowing information to be shared efficiently and securely, and each of the three has been intended to include information relevant to children in foster care. Additionally, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 has mandated that states and tribal governments responsible for foster care services work with the state Medicaid agency to develop plans for ongoing oversight and coordination for health care services for children in foster care.