EPSDT is a program funded through Medicaid that provides medical assistance to all Medicaid-eligible children, which includes children in care. All children in OCS custody are required to have an EPSDT well-child exam within thirty (30) days of being placed in out-of-home care 7 AAC 67.140(h). The EPSDT exam will, at a minimum, include:
Schedule this exam for the child coming into your care. The exam should preferably be done by the child’s primary medical provider, but if that is not possible, by an identified community provider. If there are no health personnel in the community qualified to perform an EPSDT exam, the assigned worker can arrange for Medicaid to pay for the child and an escort to travel to the closest community where an EPSDT exam can be conducted.
When a child is placed with you, determine whether the child’s immunizations are current. The immunization record may be attached to the Medical Consent Form. Ask the child’s assigned worker for assistance if the record is missing or check with the child’s health provider. If a child’s immunizations are not up to date with immunizations, make sure they are brought up to date during the EPSDT well-child exam.
Find out as much as you can about a child’s health history and status. Look for information about a child’s
Keep records of what you were able to find out and what information was not available to you. If you could not get any information, document attempts you made to get the information.
The results of the EPSDT well-child exam and follow-up recommendations will need to be placed in the child’s file at the OCS office. Provide the results to the assigned worker as soon as possible so that the child’s file is complete. You will also need to keep copies for your own files.
Every child in care needs to be immunized and have regular well-child exams according to the schedule outlined by the EPSDT Program. The EPSDT Guidelines and Periodicity Schedule will be provided to you by the child’s worker. Children over three years old need a dental exam once a year.
The screenings done during the well-child exam can help detect special needs and provide referrals to services and resources to help with the child’s special needs. Research has shown children in out-of-home care are often behind the norms in health, so your role in helping a child get immunizations and check-ups is important!
Per 4 AAC 06.055 resource families can consent to diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, measles, mumps, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rubella for entry in a state public school district, or nonpublic school offering pre-elementary education through the 12th grade or any combination of these grades, unless a parent or the Department issues an exemption.
Elective immunizations: Rotavirus, PCV13, HPV, MCV4, Influenza, and COVID-19 must have parental consent if the rights are intact, and Department consent if the rights have been terminated.
Keep all records of care or treatment the child receives while residing in your home. These records will go to the child's caseworker when the child leaves your home. If no documentation was provided by the health care provider, keep a log of the medical care the child receives. These records should be kept in a safe and confidential place within your home.
If a child is seriously injured such as sustaining a black eye or deep cut or requires medical care for an emergency, notify your assigned worker. Notify your licensing worker as well regarding any serious injury or illness requiring attention by a health provider. You may verbally report, but also need to file an Incident, Emergency, Accident, Illness, and Change Report (D084-LIC-08) form with OCS.
Sex education is a normal part of parenting. Most sex education is in response to children’s questions. Questions should be answered as openly and honestly as possible, giving consideration of the child’s age. In some instances, schools will offer courses in sex education. You may sign the permission slip for a child to attend special classes or refer this item to the assigned worker for agency approval.
Issues of birth control usage should be discussed with the assigned worker. To the greatest extent possible, involve the child’s parent in any discussions regarding sex education, and birth control usage.
If you suspect a child in your care might be pregnant, notify the assigned worker on the first working day after you are aware of this situation. The assigned worker is responsible for helping pregnant teens in custody obtain proper prenatal care and counseling. This includes helping them explore all the options available to them during and after their pregnancy. The teen may stay in your care if your family is willing to adjust to the needed changes in the treatment plan. A resource family may not unduly influence or dictate what actions a pregnant teen may make regarding the planning for the pregnancy and decisions to parent the child or place the child for adoption. These decisions are solely the teen parents to make.
A resource family is not allowed to have a child tested for HIV/AIDS. If you have concerns that the child in your care is infected with HIV/AIDS, discuss this with your assigned worker.
When you are planning to travel with a child in care, remember to take with you:
In the event of an emergency that requires medical treatment and/or hospitalization, you must have proof that the child has medical coverage. Should the physician or the hospital refuse to accept Medicaid, contact the assigned worker for reimbursement procedures. You will need a receipt for services rendered.
Generally, Alaska Medicaid benefits cannot be used out-of-state unless the service is pre-authorized by Medicaid and the medical provider is enrolled with the Alaska Medicaid system. In these cases, contact your assigned worker if medical services are needed out-of-state.
Children with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Children with Complex Medical Conditions may be eligible for additional services through Medicaid. Some children may receive services through a Medicaid Waiver if they are determined to be eligible for a Waiver. To determine eligibility a functional assessment must be completed by a Senior and Disability Services nurse. If you think a child in your home has significant developmental or medical needs, please consult with the OCS assigned worker or OCS Regional Psych Nurse. OCS will be responsible for submitting an application and coordinating the application and assessment process, but the resource family will be asked assist and support with this process. If the child is found to be eligible the resource family will participate in service planning meetings with OCS, the treatment team, and the identified Care Coordinator.