Quality Health Care for Homeless Children: Achieving the AAP Recommendations for Care of Homeless Children and Youth.

BACKGROUND: We assessed whether and how health care organizations serving homeless pediatric patients meet recommendations issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey of Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program grantees serving children.

RESULTS: Of 169 grantees, 77 (46%) responded. All organizations reported connecting patients to specialty services. Nearly all reported screening for homelessness (90%), facilitating Medicaid enrollment (90%), connecting patients to benefits (94%), addressing underlying causes of homelessness (83%), assisting with transportation (83%), and knowing about the causes of homelessness (76%). Fewer reported integrating comprehensive care into acute visits (61%) or having medical-legal partnerships (57%). Federally qualified health center status was associated with meeting more recommendations. We described barriers and facilitators to meeting recommendations.

DISCUSSION: Health care organizations serving homeless children largely meet AAP recommendations, but integrating comprehensive care into acute visits remains an area for improvement. Disseminating best practices may support guideline adherence.