“Wrap around wellness takes action where needed which has been the biggest blessing!” improving foster care through wellness coordination: A survey study

Young persons in foster care face significant healthcare disparities and higher polypharmacy rates than their peers. To address these issues, we developed a wellness coordination program that is described in this paper. Our survey study evaluates the acceptability of the program and perceptions of cross-system communication among Child Welfare personnel, foster care families, Medical Homes, education professionals, and the court system. Surveys were sent to 40 stakeholders within a private child welfare consortium in the Midwest, USA with 22 participants responding. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings indicate broad stakeholder acceptance of the program, with five key themes: improved care coordination, increased work efficiency, enhanced communication, stronger team collaboration, and supportive leadership. Two overarching themes emerged: (1)Teamwork enhances efficiency, and (2) Wellness coordinators' unique attributes strengthen service delivery. Sub-themes defining these attributes include (a) coordinators' autonomy, (b) their knowledge base, and (c) effective communication. There were multiple suggestions for continuous quality improvement which are also presented. Further research is needed to build upon the program's impacts. By maintaining a focus on children and adolescents' in foster care (CAFC) needs, we can bridge gaps in mental healthcare access and promote more equitable outcomes.