It is well documented that children enter foster care with special health and mental health needs and, while in care, those conditions are often exacerbated. However, less attention has been given to foster parents who have the most contact with these children. Results are presented from a national study on the developmental, health and mental…

This report examines the use of health care services by children enrolled in Medi-Cal, California's counterpart to Medicaid, and the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program. Expenditures related to these services are also examined. Data for the report were derived from utilization and expenditure data from Medi-Cal and CHDP. Analysis…

Data on 3,449 children (ages 0-3) indicate children at risk because of low income, minority status, or lack of insurance were 3 to 12 times more likely to be without a usual source of care and 2 to 30 times more likely to have unmet needs for health care. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)