Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC)

Purpose

This program follows the rules of the Welfare and Institutions Code §16501.3 to support children in foster care. Public Health Nurses work as a team with social workers, probation officers, doctors, and foster parents. They make sure every child can get the health services they need.

Services 

Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in San Diego County work with Child and Family Well‑Being Social Workers and Juvenile Probation Officers to support the health of children in foster care. They make sure each child gets a medical and dental checkup within 30 days of entering foster care. They also help children continue getting routine checkups, as required by state rules. 

Services Include:

  • Advocate for the child’s health care needs.
  • Help foster parents get health care for the child on time. 
  • Make sure medical, dental, and mental health referrals are sent quickly. 
  • Follow children placed in other counties to make sure they get the services they need. 
  • Help connect children to early intervention, specialists, dentists, mental health providers, and other community programs. 
  • Explain medical reports to social workers and foster parents. 
  • Teach social workers, judges, school nurses, probation officers, and others about the health needs of children in foster care.

 

PHNs also update the Health and Education Passport (HEP). The HEP is a record made for every child in foster care, as required by state law. It keeps track of the child’s health history and includes any medical, dental, and school information that is available. The HEP is shared with the foster parent, the child’s biological parent, health care providers, and is given to the youth when they leave foster care.

Additional Resources and Links

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For more information, please send us an email. 

Webpage last updated 8/28/2026.