Sellers Dorsey Senior Director of Child and Family Well-Being, Katie Renner Olse, recently shared her insights with HIT Consultant on how healthcare can help solve the biggest healthcare access challenges for system-involved youth. Explore the article below.

All children deserve access to quality healthcare, including those involved with the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Healthcare access and quality for system-involved youth, individuals who have been impacted by the child welfare or juvenile justice systems, are critical for children to lead fulfilling lives. System-involved youth face incredible challenges that make them a uniquely vulnerable population. 

Often, their health needs are complex, influenced by significant trauma, and exacerbated by the systemic barriers they encounter. Despite these challenges, there is an immense opportunity for the healthcare system, particularly Medicaid, to play a transformative role in addressing healthcare quality and access for this population. By fostering cross-system collaboration, leveraging healthcare data and technology, and adopting a restorative, strength-based approach, we can ensure that system-involved youth receive the quality care they deserve.