Is the child welfare system prepared for an increase in children with type 1 diabetes?

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the child welfare system for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Research on chronic physical illnesses among children and adolescents in foster care has been infrequent, and the capacity of state child welfare systems to respond to certain health-related challenges remains unknown. Children diagnosed with T1D have substantial healthcare needs, requiring close coordination between involved caregivers and a pediatric diabetes multidisciplinary care team. The majority of children with T1D lack the cognitive skills and maturity to manage their condition independently. Meeting the needs of children with T1D upon their entry into foster care can be a challenging task for state child welfare agencies. The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brings a new sense of urgency to conversations about children with T1D in foster care. Emerging research suggests that a COVID-19 diagnosis can precipitate or accelerate T1D onset in children and youth, leading to an increase in new cases. An increase in children with T1D can add strain to an already overburdened US foster care system, plagued by shortages of placements for children and youth with complex medical needs. The prevalence of T1D has increased rapidly over the past two decades and may increase further due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)