A Medical Home for Healing and Growth

Forestdale provides a full-service pediatric medical home led by a licensed pediatrician and supported by skilled nurses, care managers, and experienced health care administrators. We offer:

• Primary and preventive care for children and youth,

• Chronic disease management and specialty care coordination,

• Vaccinations, developmental screenings, and physical exams,

• Individualized assistance navigating New York City’s complex health system and related insurance coverage.

Our care management model ensures we meet every child’s physical and mental health needs with coordinated, person-centered care. Families and providers trust us to create seamless connections between services, reducing gaps in care and improving health outcomes.

Behavioral Health Services that Address Trauma and Build Resilience

Emotional well-being is central to child development. At Forestdale, we integrate behavioral health services into our medical clinic to address the effects of trauma, instability, and systemic barriers. Strong Minds, Strong Bodies offers quality, accessible, culturally sensitive behavioral health interventions to mitigate family disruptions and provide long-term techniques for managing and coping with trauma, family conflict, disruptive behaviors, addiction, and mental illness. Forestdale’s   behavioral health providers are trained in leading evidence-based modalities and best practices, including but not limited to: 

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

• EMDR

• Play therapy interventions

We support children and caregivers through ongoing assessment, therapeutic interventions, and crisis management. We help young people build coping skills, learn emotional regulation skills, and how to establish healthy relationships. Our model fosters family strengthening and long-term healing.

Comprehensive Dental Care Through Trusted Partnerships

Through Forestdale’s effective and long-standing collaboration with the New York University College of Dentistry, we offer accessible and high-quality dental services to foster youth. This partnership ensures consistent availability of preventive cleaning and checkups, restorative care, and oral hygiene education. By integrating dental care into our health services, we reduce missed appointments, prevent dental emergencies, and promote lifelong oral health habits—especially for children who may lack consistent access to care.

Why It Matters: Building Health Equity from the Ground Up

Children in foster care and Medicaid-insured youth face some of the most significant barriers to healthcare in New York due to a combination of factors, including placement instability, lack of provider acceptance of Medicaid, and inadequate coordination between child welfare and healthcare systems. As a result, these young people are more likely to experience poorer health, well-being, and long-term outcomes than youths who have not had foster care experience or have not had to rely on government-subsidized health insurance. 

Forestdale is working to change that. Through our integrated care model, we work to reduce avoidable hospitalizations, support long-term wellness, and give families the tools they need to thrive. We partner with public systems, medical professionals, donors, and families to close gaps and promote whole-child well-being. 

Whether you are a family seeking support, a provider making a referral, or a funder ready to invest in child health equity, your involvement helps us expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Children Serviced in FY 2025

Contacts:

Maria Astudillo, LCSW-R 
Assistant Executive Director for Health 

Suchi Kapoor, LMSW
Director of Health Services

RoseAnn Lowe, LCSW 
Director of Behavioral Health Services