Behavioral Health
Health Services for Children in Foster Care
Abuse, violence, and threats in the home of a child can have damaging long-term effects on health, ranging from increased risk of heart disease to depression and suicide. As a result, youth who are involved with the child welfare system often have heightened health care needs. The Foundling provides free medical services for all of the young people in our foster care programs, and also provides health services to youth in care with other providers throughout New York City.
The New York Foundling began providing pediatric medical services in 1882, and today we aim to provide each young person in our foster care programs with high-quality medical services – delivered by professionals that understand the specialized needs of this population. Pediatric medical services are provided at our clinics located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, and include well-child and sick visits, routine vaccinations, lab screenings, and intensive medical case management.
Our Bronx location – The Children’s Health Center of The New York Foundling – is designated an Article 28 health center, and so in addition to young people in foster care, it can serve patients ages 0-21 in the South Bronx community (including children with no child welfare involvement.)
