Save the Date – Optimal Care for Young Children in Foster/Kinship Care

SAVE THE DATE for a Unique Conference to Improve the Care of Children in Foster Care!

EVENT:

“Let’s Work Together: Optimal Care for Young Children in Foster/Kinship Care – A Conference for Pediatricians and Interested Stakeholders with a Look to the Future”

SPONSORED BY:

NYS AAP – Chapter 2
Adelphi University Institute for Parenting
NYS Child Welfare Court Improvement Project

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW:
Assume that all children who have been adopted or in foster care have experienced trauma!

Young children in foster/kinship care often experience early traumatic events which can significantly affect social-emotional, developmental, and behavioral growth leading to major disruption in functioning. The conference will focus on how the need for specialized treatment impacts primary care in the pediatric medical home; how an interdisciplinary approach can provide optimal outcomes and how pediatricians can advocate for this approach to improve care for young children in foster and kinship care within NYS AAP Chapter 2 and throughout the state. Attendees and speakers will include pediatric providers; infant and early childhood mental health specialists, representatives from Early Intervention, Family Court, County Departments of Social Services Office of Family and Children Services, foster care agencies; parents and early childcare providers.

BACKGROUND INFO:
Read the American Academy of Pediatrics’ article “Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope with Trauma,” which explains the effects of toxic stress often experienced by young children in foster/kinship care, the effects on the developing brain, and treatment and care in the medical home: https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/healthy-foster-care-america/Documents/Guide.pdf.