Foster Care Services for Hamilton County
The Cincinnati Children’s CHECK Foster Care Center provides screening, evaluation and up-to-date evidence-based clinical care for the children living in foster and kinship care in Hamilton County.
- Our multidisciplinary team provides diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to meet the unique medical, dental, behavioral and mental health needs of children in foster care and kinship care.
- We offer compassionate assistance, education, training and support for foster and kinship families.
- Our team is available as a resource throughout the entire transition of care for your child.
CHECK Services
- Provide medical care for your child during the first months he or she is in your home
- Collect, compile and organize your child’s medical history so that you, Hamilton County Job & Family Services and your child’s pediatrician have accurate and complete medical information as quickly as possible
- Schedule or help you schedule any specialty care your child needs
- Help you find and establish continuity pediatric care for your foster or kinship child
Initial Visit
During your initial visit, you and your child can expect that we will:
- Discuss your child’s transition, stressors and behaviors
- Share any medical history information we have already obtained
- Address your concerns regarding health, behavior and development
- Perform a complete physical exam of your child with particular attention to any acute or chronic problems that need immediate attention
- Discuss if blood work is needed to screen for communicable diseases
- Administer vaccines, bringing your child up to date, or setting up a schedule for catching up if any are significantly delayed
- Make appointments for your child to see any specialist he or she needs
- Complete any health forms you need for Job & Family Services, your network, childcare or school
- Make an appointment to have you back for a comprehensive visit in four to eight weeks
- Give you an opportunity to meet with a social worker or psychologist to discuss your concerns
Comprehensive Visit
During your comprehensive visit, you and your child can expect that we will:
- Discuss your child’s most recent behaviors, stressors and health concerns
- Share any medical history information we have obtained
- Address your concerns regarding health, behavior and development. We’ll also share any concerns we identify during our chart review, history or exam.
- Perform a complete physical exam of your child
- Test vision and hearing
- Perform developmental screening or assessment and make appropriate referrals
- Complete a mental health screening to guide referrals
- Continue administration of vaccines, bringing your child up to date, or setting up a schedule for catching up if any are significantly delayed
- Complete and provide health forms to you as needed for Job & Family Services, childcare or school
- Work with you to identify a primary care provider and dentist for your child
- Make appointments for your child to see any specialists as needed
- Give you an opportunity to meet with a social worker or psychologist to discuss your concerns
