Caring for children in foster and kinship care during a pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations

ABSTRACT

Through qualitative feedback from professionals in healthcare, mental health, and child welfare, this study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of children in the child welfare system. Positive outcomes and challenges related to the care of children in foster or kinship care in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic are described. Themes identified included disparities in the child welfare system; utilization of telehealth; cross-sector communication and collaboration; safety considerations; and placement stability and support. The article concludes with recommendations in each of these areas for ensuring the health and well-being of children in foster and kinship care during a pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• child welfare
• Child
• foster care
• covid-19
• pandemic
• relative/kinship care

Acknowledgments

The content of this article is an expansion of a white paper written by the study authors. This white paper was a collaborative effort between the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence and the Foster Care Committee of the Texas Pediatric Society. The full citation of the article is listed in the references section.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hilda Loria

Dr. Hilda Loria is an academic general pediatrician in the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center and serves as the Medical Director of the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence.

Jill McLeigh

Dr. Jill McLeigh serves as the Director of Policy, Advocacy and Research for the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children’s Health.

Kristin Wolfe

Dr. Kristin Wolfe recently completed her PhD at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where she focused on suicide assessment and prevention in children and adolescents.

Erinne Conner

Erinne Conner, MSW serves as the Community Development Manager at the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence and advocates for children and families involved with the child welfare system.

Valerie Smith

Dr. Valerie Smith is a general pediatrician at St. Paul Children's Services and the Child Welfare and Health Policy Fellow at the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Christopher S. Greeley

Dr. Christopher S. Greeley leads the Section of Public Health and Child Abuse Pediatrics at Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine.  He is board-certified in Child Abuse Pediatrics.

Rachael J. Keefe

Dr. Rachael J. Keefe is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. She leads the Foster Care Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital and advocates for children in foster care through research and policy.