Care4Kids
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Comprehensive Health Care for Children
Care4Kids creates a "medical home" for each child entering care. This "medical home" is not a physical place, but rather a philosophy that children in out-of-home care (OHC) deserve coordinated and comprehensive healthcare that addresses their unique needs.
Due to ongoing program changes, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Care4Kids page for more detailed information about this program.
Care4Kids Overview
Care4Kids is a care coordination benefit for children and young adults currently in or aged out of the foster care system. Members are assigned to a Health Care Coordinator. We advocate for our members by finding doctors and dentists, helping with questions about insurance* and medication, offering mental health support and access to other supportive services that we have available through our health plan such as Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby and housing navigation.
Our members have an increased child check periodicity schedule:
- 0-6 months old: Well child checks once a month
- 6-24 months old: Well child checks every 3 months
- 2 years old and up: Well child checks every 6 months
*This is currently all of WI, except Polk, Pierce, Burnett and St Croix counties.
Care4Kids Program Updates
Effective January 1st, 2026, The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) updated the 1937 Alternative Benefits Plan State Plan Amendment (1937 ABP SPA). These updates included expansion of enrollment eligibility to Former Foster Care Youth and children of members enrolled in the Foster Care Medical Home (FCMH) program, commonly referred to as Care4Kids (C4K). Coverage for members placed in Out of Home Care has expanded to all counties in Wisconsin.*
- Former Foster Care Youth (FFCY):
- This will allow children aging out of Child Welfare at age 18 to remain enrolled or re-enroll in Care4Kids until age 26.
- Children of enrolled members:
- This will allow children of current Care4Kids members to enroll.
- Children placed in any Chorus Community Health Plans approved county:
- This will allow children to remain enrolled with Care4Kids regardless of placement changes outside of our original 6 county coverage area.
*This is currently all of WI, except Polk, Pierce, Burnett and St Croix counties.
We're Here to Help
Our Care4Kids staff is here to answer any questions you may have or respond to needs you have. We can be reached either by phone or email or by phone at 1-855-371-8104.
This phone number is answered directly by Care4Kids staff business days during the following times:
- Monday-Thursday - 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Health Screen Assessment
Schedule Your Child's Health Screening
To schedule your child's out-of-home care health screening
Call toll free: 855-371-8104
The Care4Kids benefit recognizes that children in out-of-home care deserve healthcare that reflects their unique needs and therefore emphasizes the importance of using providers trained in these needs. Children will receive an out-of-home health screen within two business days of entering care, preferably at a child advocacy center or child protection center.
A Comprehensive Initial Health Assessment will be provided within 30 days of entering care, preferably at an identified center of excellence. A center of excellence is a medical provider trained in the specific health needs of children in out-of-home care and considered a "champion" in the healthcare field. Providers in the centers of excellence understand the enhanced healthcare needs of the population and have been trained in trauma-informed care. The partnership between the health care coordination team and the centers of excellence ensure that information is shared in a timely, collaborative manner that will improve outcomes for children in out-of-home care.
To schedule your child's out-of-home care health screen, please call toll free 855-371-8104.
See our Centers for Excellence and the Child Advocacy Centers that are available to children in out-of-home care.