{"id":351850,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/foster-care\/foster-children-medical-issues-and-children-with-disabilities.html"},"modified":"2025-03-26T09:28:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T14:28:35","slug":"foster-children-medical-issues-and-children-with-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/foster-care\/foster-children-medical-issues-and-children-with-disabilities.html","title":{"rendered":"Foster Children With Disabilities or Medical Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Foster Children With Disabilities or Medical Issues<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Foster children with disabilities or medical issues often face significant challenges due to their complex healthcare needs, which can include a range of conditions from ADHD to serious physical impairments like cerebral palsy. These children, who are wards of the state, are typically eligible for Medicaid and additional government support. But their medical and mental health needs are frequently under-addressed.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Children come into the foster care system from a variety of backgrounds. Some of them have disabilities or medical issues.  As wards of the state, children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid and other government benefits. <\/p>\r\n

Nearly half a million children are in foster care in the United States. Studies have shown that their medical and mental health needs are frequently overlooked. Many foster children also have diagnosed disabilities. This can range from minor developmental delays to significant psychological and physical challenges.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of foster children with medical needs.<\/p>\r\n

Foster Children With Disabilities<\/h2>\r\n

Foster children with medical issues or disabilities face unique challenges. Often, these children have been removed from their biological families due to neglect or child abuse. They may have complex medical needs that require ongoing care. The family is unable or unwilling to provide the necessary support. This may leave these children at risk for further health complications.<\/p>\r\n

A 2020 study found that nearly half of children in foster care<\/a> have special healthcare needs. These children may deteriorate further if their foster parents can’t meet their needs.<\/p>\r\n

Foster children with a disability are often less successful in obtaining a permanent placement. They may have several different foster families or foster homes before finding permanency. They’re also frequent victims of child abuse<\/a> or maltreatment.<\/p>\r\n

Disabilities common among foster children include:<\/p>\r\n