What is the 3-Day Medical Exam?
Within 3 business days, children entering DFPS care must visit a doctor to see if they are hurt or sick and get any treatments they need.
Why is the 3-Day Medical Exam important?
The 3-Day medical exam helps us know about a child’s health when they enter foster care. The person caring for the child can learn about the child’s medical needs and how to care for them. The person caring for the child can also get medicines for a child that may not have been taken at the time of removal, such as an asthma inhaler or eczema cream.
The 3-Day medical exam is an added medical screening and does not replace the Texas Health Steps medical checkup or the CANS Assessment.
Who receives a 3-Day Medical Exam?
All youth entering DFPS care on or after December 31st, 2018, are required by law to have a medical exam within 3 business days of coming into care.
When does the 3-Day Medical Exam start?
The 3-Day medical exam will start in parts of the state beginning in spring 2018 and be in all areas by fall 2018.
The schedule below shows the timeline for starting the 3-Day medical exam across the state:
- April 1, 2018
- Regions 1, 7, 9 and 10
- June 1, 2018
- Regions 2, 3E (Dallas area) and 3W (Fort Worth area)
- August 1, 2018
- Regions 4, 5, 6A (Harris County), and 6B (surrounding Harris County)
- October 1, 2018
- Regions 8 and 11