YOUTHCARE INITIAL HEALTH SCREENINGS

Date: 05/23/24

We need your help to get youth their Initial Health Screening in a timely fashion.

Did you know that in accordance with established guidelines every new child taken into custody by DCFS must have an Initial Health Screening (IHS) completed within 24 hours of protective custody?

Because the Emergency Department is not the best facility for youth who need an IHS, we are asking for your help to educate participating parties. Patients who have time critical needs will supersede an IHS, creating an extended wait time for youths and caseworkers.

We encourage the use of urgent care facilities for IHS screenings as stipulated in the 2024 Illinois DCFS annual healthcare oversight and coordination plan, “when youth enter substitute care, the caseworker ensures they receive an Initial Health Screening within 24 hours of the Department assuming legal custody and before placement.”

Use the YouthCare Find-a-Provider tool to locate an in-network provider or facility.

• The HealthWorks lead agency and YouthCare maintain a list of IHS sites, which include clinics and private physician’s offices.
• IHS sites are available seven days a week, through:
  • Urgent Care facilities (some are open 24/7)
  • Participating network hospital emergency departments, open 24/7

Identifying and Documenting an Initial Health Screening

1. Health needs that require immediate attention
2. Evidence of child abuse or neglect
   
3. Suspected infectious or communicable disease
4. Documentation of the presence or absence of medical problems
5. Pertinent health information to make an informed placement decision

For questions or help, contact YouthCare at 844-289-2264 (TTY: 711) or send an e-mail to ILYouthCare@centene.com.