When children involved in the child welfare system need medical care, they are particularly in need of providers knowledgeable in trauma-informed care. Illness- or injury-related post-traumatic stress reactions can impair a child's psychosocial / functional recovery and lead to worse health outcomes. While any ill or injured child may experience pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS), children in foster care, who often have a prior trauma history or lack social support, are at greater risk.

Enhance your skills in trauma-informed care and learn tips for working effectively with the child welfare system as a health care professional. Upon completion of this continuing education course, nurses will be able to:

• Identify signs, symptoms and risk factors of PMTS for children in the child welfare system.
• Explain basic strategies and recommendations for providing medical care to children in the child welfare system.
• Describe how best to work with the child welfare system to ensure that children are getting the help and support that they need.