Blank Children’s STAR Center Foster Care Clinic

Program/Project Name

Blank Children’s STAR Center Foster Care Clinic

Affiliation Name

Blank Children’s Hospital (UnityPoint Health)

Website URL

https://www.unitypoint.org/locations/unitypoint-health---blank-childrens-foster-care-clinic

Model Type

Multidisciplinary team approach including specialty care, mental health, and developmental health

City

Des Moines

State

IA

State specific location

Provider-Based Clinic

How is program/project funded?

Federal Funding,State Funding,Foundation Funding,Health Insurance

Describe how it's funded

Funding sources are provided through a mixture of services billed from state (Medicaid) and private insurances, grant funding, state and federal funding, and hospital operating funds.

What services does it provide?

Entry to care health assessment,Comprehensive health assessment,Standardize screening (developmental/mental health),In-clinic mental health evaluation,Subspecialty referrals,Ongoing primary care/medical home

Where does it provide services?

State-wide

Description of program/project

The Blank Children’s STAR Foster Care Clinic is a comprehensive clinic meant to provide both short- and long-term care for children who have been trauma affected. This includes but is not limited to those in foster care, kinship care, adoptions, and drug endangered children. We receive referrals from Child Protection Services, law enforcement and emergency services, emergency departments, and medical providers throughout the state. Using the clinical model outlined in the AAP’s “Fostering Health: Health Care for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care” we provide ongoing medical and mental health care in-house with our medical providers and mental health therapists. This includes initial intakes after foster care placement, mental health assessments, ongoing trauma-informed mental health therapy, primary care services including well child exams/physicals, routine vaccinations, laboratory work, care coordination, trauma-informed parenting workshops, child-life services, social work services, and referral to specialty care as needed. Our mental health therapists are trained in various forms of therapy including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Child Parent Psychotherapy, among others. Other services and clinics within the Blank Children’s STAR Center include the Child Advocacy Center, Drug Endangered Children Clinic, Growth and Nutrition Clinic, Child Life Services, and Social Work.

How are patients tracked?

Commercial electronic medical record

Does the program provide special focus?

Developmental delay/issues,Mental health,Developmental Issues,Children in family foster care,Young Children,Adolescents

Program/Project strengths

• Collaboration amongst team members including medical providers, mental health therapists, forensic interviewers, nursing, and support staff.
• Coordination with local child protection services, state agencies, and law enforcement
• Comprehensive in-house care for families
• Hospital, subspecialist, and administrative support

Program/Project challenges

• Providing services to families that live several hours or more from Des Moines.
• Care coordination and follow up when foster children enter long term facilities and shelters.

Contact Name

Dr. Orrin Probst, DO

Email Address

Orrin.probst@unitypoint.org

Phone Number

515-224-3310