Are children in foster care tested for HIV? Who receives the results?
Foster care agency workers assess all children who enter foster care for their risk of HIV infection. If a child is thought to be at risk for HIV and is not able to make an informed decision about testing, foster care staff gets a signed consent from the appropriate guardian and make arrangements to have the child tested for HIV. Children and youth who are at risk for HIV and who are determined by the foster care agency to have the ability to make an informed decision about testing are recommended, but not required, to have an HIV test. Authorized foster care agencies, foster and adoptive parents, local Departments of Social Services, Family Court, and health care providers have a right to know HIV information about children in foster care. However, they may not disclose HIV-related information to anyone else, unless it is for the care and treatment of the child.
