Primary Care For Foster Children (DC KIDS)

The District of Columbia Kids Integrated Delivery System (DC KIDS) is a collaboration between the District of Columbia’s Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) and Children’s National Medical Center. DC KIDS provides comprehensive healthcare services to meet the needs of the District of Columbia’s children in foster care.

Program eligibility
All children under the age of 21, under the care of CFSA and living with a foster family or in a group home are eligible to participate in DC KIDS.

Benefits to foster children

• Children are seen and evaluated in a child-friendly, pediatric-specific environment.
• Each child has a continuous and coordinated system of services.
• The child’s right to privacy is protected. CFSA provides a signed release form and signed “consent to treat” form before any child receives services.

Benefits to foster parents/placements

• DC KIDS supports, informs and navigates the complex systems of care for foster parents and children.
• There is no paperwork to complete and no cost to foster parents or children.
• Service providers are located in areas accessible to foster parents/placements.

Benefits to CFSA

• Dedicated and informed DC KIDS staff members are available to respond to inquiries from CFSA social workers.
• Faster healthcare services coordinated by the DC KIDS staff enables CFSA to improve permanency planning and expedite the adoption process for children.

Covered services/components of care
Every child receives a comprehensive evaluation, which identifies the services the child and family need, such as:

• Placement screens – to evaluate and provide medical clearance for foster placement
• Early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses
• Dental services
• Immunizations
• Eye care
• Hearing services
• Prescription services
• Developmental services
• In-home services
• Inpatient care
• Specialty care
• Transportation to and from services

DC KIDS assessment center locations

Children’s Health Center at THEARC
Children’s Health Center at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Center (THEARC) is the medical home for children in foster care.

Services include:

• Pre-placement/replacement screens
• 30 day Early Periodic Diagnosis and Treatment
• Six-month follow-up
• Primary care

Children’s Health Center at THEARC contact information:
1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE
Suite 104
Washington, DC 20020
202-436-3060

Hours of operation:
8:30 am – 7:30 pm, Monday through Friday

Children’s Hospital
DC KIDS representatives are located at Children’s Hospital for after-hours pre-placement/replacement medical screens.

Children’s Hospital Emergency Department contact information:
111 Michigan Avenue, NW
Room E1.118 (across from Urgent Care)
Washington, DC 20010
202-476-2354
202-259-0262 (pager)

Hours of operation:
7:30 pm – 8:30 am, Monday through Friday
All day, weekends and holidays

Foster Care Advisory Board
The Foster Care Advisory Board is available to voice concerns regarding quality of care and access to services and to provide health education and support.

If interested in becoming a board member, call 202-476-2507.

DC KIDS Contact Information
Contact DC KIDS at 1-877-932-5437 or 202-476-6221 (fax) to:

• Ask questions or voice concerns.
• Schedule/reschedule appointments.
• Arrange transportation.
• Confirm your child’s next appointment.
• Find the DC KIDS health centers and providers located near you.

To report abuse and/or neglect, call 202-671-7233
To contact CFSA Health Services, call 202-724-9742.