Public Health Nurses Additional Resource for Caregivers and Staff

September 2021

Public Health Nurses Additional Resource for
Caregivers and Staff

OC Health Care Agency’s Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) is a team of public health nurses who assist with the coordination of care for children and youth in the child welfare system. Children and youth in care are at an increased risk of negative health outcomes including growth and developmental delays. The public health nurses serve as an important resource to promote continuity and quality health care by collaborating with caregivers and social workers with the County of Orange Social Services Agency, Children and Family Services Division.

Public health nurses support caregivers caring for medically vulnerable children who require high levels of medical, mental health and developmental services. Additional support includes providing caregivers with health education, coordination of primary and specialty medical care, referrals for health, dental and mental health services, developmental screenings for children ages 0 to 5, and referrals for developmental and community resources. The team also provides reproductive health
education for teens and plays an important role in psychotropic medication monitoring and oversight. The public health nurses are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and may be reached at (714) 704-8530 or FCPHNInbox@ssa.ocgov.com.