Young people are often even unaware of complex and dangerous health problems, such as mental health issues, obesity, asthma, and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).  A recent study shows that almost half of young women in foster care become pregnant before reaching the age of 19.

No group of American teens is at greater risk of health problems than those in foster care. Many have been taken away from their parents because of neglect, which often means their knowledge of their own bodies is cobbled together from myths, the mass media and public education. Even the basics, such as hygiene, diet, and exercise are often misunderstood.

Health Care at Forestdale

Forestdale’s Health Literacy Initiative addresses these problems across our programs involving youth: Foster Care, Preventive, Pregnant & Parenting Teens, and the Fathering Initiative.  Forestdale has undertaken a public health initiative to establish a Teen Health Clinic that will meet the health needs of adolescents in our community. Forestdale’s Teen Health Clinic will meet the urgent health needs of high-risk adolescents with top-quality, low-cost health care and education.

For children who require more extensive or specialized care, Forestdale helps parents locate local, well-regarded physicians. Forestdale also partners with community-based mental health professionals who make home-visits to provide crisis intervention and counseling.

Forestdale’s Kitchen

One in three American children is currently overweight or obese – and the problem is even more intense among foster children. To address this particular health crisis, Forestdale is building a kitchen, scheduled to open in the fall of 2011.The kitchen will focus on providing nutritional education, from hands-on cooking classes to interactive educational presentations.

Support children in need by helping fund our programs or donating your time.