The Kankakee County Health Department provides nurse case management services to foster children place in Kankakee County. HealthWorks is a collaborative effort between the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Healthcare family services, and the Illinois Department of Human Services. 

HealthWorks of Illinois in Kankakee County:

• Assures linkage for foster children to a primary care physician
• Provides medical case management to children less than 6 years of age, and pregnant foster children
• Maintains health information for foster children living in Kankakee County
• Is a healthcare and community resource for foster parents

What new foster parents need to know:

• All foster children receive Illinicare, a Medicaid managed care insurance. 
• An initial health screening must be done within 24 hours when a foster child is taken into DCFS custody, and should be completed before the child is placed with the foster parent.
• A comprehensive health exam must be done within 21 days of DCFS custody.
• Foster parents need to keep a copy of all medical records for each foster child. 
• Well child exams are required at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age and every year for a child over 2 years of age.
• Dental exams are required at 2 years of age then every 6 months.
• Vision and hearing screenings are required at 3 years of age then annually.
• Immunizations are very important and must be kept up-to-date.

Please contact the HealthWorks of Illinois program at the Kankakee County Health Department for any questions.

HealthWorks of Kankakee County
Phone: (815) 802-9320
Fax: (815) 802-9321