title: Health and mental health services for children in foster care: the central role of foster parents.
abstract: 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 health care needs of children in foster care that included foster parents' perspectives and observations. Their role in improving child well being is explained and recommendations for policy, practice and advocacy also are included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, California, USA.
authors.forename: Eileen Mayers
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pasztor
authors.forename: David Swanson
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hollinger
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inkelas
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Halfon
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000628:therapy; D017144:Focus Groups; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012947:Social Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States