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St. Paul Children’s Services Named Foster Care Center of Excellence by Superior HealthPlan

Date: 04/26/21

TYLER, Texas (April 26, 2021) – Superior HealthPlan has designated St. Paul Children’s Services as a Foster Care Center of Excellence, the first clinic to receive the recognition in Tyler, Texas. St. Paul Children’s Services earned the distinction for their quality program initiatives that support children and youth in foster care.

“St. Paul Children’s Services is honored to be joining Superior HealthPlan’s Foster Care Centers of Excellence program,” said Dr. Valerie Smith, a pediatrician at St. Paul Children’s Services. “We know children in foster care have complex histories often including trauma and are at increased risk for physical and behavioral health problems. We are committed to caring for children in foster care in a trauma-informed manner to address their unique needs and support their growth and development.”

Launched in 2017, Superior’s Center of Excellence initiative is designed to raise the level of care received by its foster care members in the STAR Health program. To qualify, providers must meet more than 60 criteria, including quality improvement initiatives, program processes and staff requirements.

St. Paul Children’s Services offers a unique combination of comprehensive services for children and their families, including pediatric medical, dental and ophthalmologic care, counseling, case management, and food and clothing assistance. They also have a long history of working collaboratively with community partners to meet the needs of the East Texas community.

St. Paul Children’s Services also partners with Superior to complete requirements through the STAR Health 3 in 30 program. This initiative helps caregivers and caseworkers get children and youth in foster care the care they need faster. It consists of a medical exam within three (3) days of entering conservatorship, a Texas Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS 2.0) Comprehensive (Child Welfare) Assessment within 30 days, and a Texas Health Steps medical exam within 30 days.

“Superior is proud to recognize high-performing providers as Foster Care Centers of Excellence,” said Dr. David Harmon, Chief Medical Director at Superior. “Children and youth in foster care need access to comprehensive health care and other support services, and our commitment to developing a network of these high-quality providers should help address these needs.”

Superior now has eight Foster Care Centers of Excellence in Texas. St. Paul Children’s Services joins the following clinics to receive the designation:

To learn more about the Foster Care Center of Excellence program, visit www.fostercaretx.com. To learn more about St. Paul Children’s Services, visit www.stpaulchildren.org.