Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

Activity 1: Video Interview

Watch this video interview, where Dr. Janet Schneiderman from the USC School of Social Work answers the following questions:

Part I: What are some of the most significant health needs for foster youth and their caregivers?

Part II: Who are some of the advocacy groups dealing with the health needs of foster youth and what policies are they attempting to promote?

After watching her video, explore your state’s child protection website. What, if anything, does it address about foster youth health and health care? How might services related to the health care of youth in the foster care system be improved?

Activity 2: Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.

• In Policy and Program Topics, select Benefits. What is the difference between benchmark coverage, benchmark-equivalent coverage, and Secretary-approved coverage?
• Select CHIPRA. What are some of the features in CHIPRA that will help states and communities boost participation?
• Select CHIP State Program Information. What are the three ways that states can design their CHIP program?

Activity 3: Kaiser Health News

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a nonprofit news service committed to in-depth coverage of health-care policy and politics. KHN reports on how the health-care system works and provides information on national health issues.

• Select one of the Top Stories. What makes this an important health-care concern right now?
• Select The Health Law. Choose one of the issues, and identify how you would connect this to one of the Seven Core Problems.
• Select States. Choose one of the stories, and describe how an advocate might engage the eight challenges.