Improving Access to Pediatric Care: Views of Caregivers Who Receive Child Welfare Services

The purpose of this study was to explore caregivers' perceptions of factors within the child welfare system which facilitate access to pediatric health services and how the child welfare system can better serve caregivers' needs when accessing health services. We interviewed a sample of 237 caregivers. Content analysis of the open-ended questions was used to identify themes and patterns in caregiver responses. Caregivers reported that child welfare caseworkers helped by providing referrals to specialty services and assistance with insurance. Changes in placements and limited access to health care history made health care access more difficult for foster caregivers. Thus, caregivers see themselves as integral in achieving better health care services for children in child welfare.