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Health & Fitness

Creating Health Homes for Foster Children

JEFFERSON CITY, MO— Representative Sue Allen (R – Town and Country) announced that the proposed health home pilot project for foster children will go beyond St. Louis City to St. Louis County and across the state.

The Appropriations – Health, Mental Health and Social Services Committee, which Rep. Allen chairs, recommended allocating $250,000 of general revenue to implement a pilot program to deliver integrated health care services to children in foster care. Since additional funding has been secured for the project, the pilot will be able to grow beyond what Rep. Allen proposed in the appropriations committee if the money is included in the final budget signed by the governor.

“When a child enters the foster care system in Missouri, our state temporarily takes on the role of the parent in their life,” Allen said. “Unfortunately, too many foster children receive uncoordinated and subpar medical services even though we have the responsibility to provide them with quality care.”

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Through the health homes, children would have access to a primary care physician, and nurse navigators would compile their medical records and help them receive recommended services.

Rep. Allen also thanked Budget Chairman Rick Stream (R – Kirkwood) for working with her during the budget process to ensure that foster children have access to high-quality medical care.

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“I will continue meeting with health care providers to develop the processes for managing the health homes,” Allen said. “I expect to have additional details as the plan unfolds, but I am thrilled that more foster children will be able to receive the coordinated and comprehensive care that they need.”

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