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Child welfare and mental health: Facilitators of and barriers to connecting children and youths in out-of-home care with effective mental health treatment

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  • Kerns, Suzanne E.U.
  • Pullmann, Michael D.
  • Putnam, Barbara
  • Buher, Anne
  • Holland, Sarah
  • Berliner, Lucy
  • Silverman, Ellen
  • Payton, Lin
  • Fourre, LaRessa
  • Shogren, Dae
  • Trupin, Eric W.

Abstract

Children and youths in the foster care system have high rates of emotional and behavioral health needs. While use of mental health services is higher than average for children and youths in care, gaps remain in efficiently linking children and youths in need of services with effective and responsive treatments. Two exploratory studies conducted through a state–academic partnership are considered with the aim of identifying priority strategies to improve collaboration among child welfare caseworkers and mental health service providers. A statewide sample of 127 child welfare caseworkers (study 1) and 148 mental health providers (study 2) participated. Results indicate that there are effective and innovative resources and infrastructure within both state systems. However, challenges exist. Caseworkers indicate limited training in identifying mental health needs, uncertainty about how to apply screening results to case planning, and concerns about the roles, relationships, and communication with mental health providers. They report variability in the extent of available evidence-based services. Mental health providers indicate multiple challenges in working with state dependent youth, including communicating and coordinating with child welfare caseworkers and families. They report shared and team meetings to be helpful in promoting collaboration. Providers want more training on the child welfare system and the unique needs of children and youths in foster care. Implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerns, Suzanne E.U. & Pullmann, Michael D. & Putnam, Barbara & Buher, Anne & Holland, Sarah & Berliner, Lucy & Silverman, Ellen & Payton, Lin & Fourre, LaRessa & Shogren, Dae & Trupin, Eric W., 2014. "Child welfare and mental health: Facilitators of and barriers to connecting children and youths in out-of-home care with effective mental health treatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 315-324.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:46:y:2014:i:c:p:315-324
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.09.013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Akin, Becci A., 2011. "Predictors of foster care exits to permanency: A competing risks analysis of reunification, guardianship, and adoption," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 999-1011, June.
    2. Darlington, Yvonne & Feeney, Judith A., 2008. "Collaboration between mental health and child protection services: Professionals' perceptions of best practice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 187-198, February.
    3. Koh, Eun & Rolock, Nancy & Cross, Theodore P. & Eblen-Manning, Jennifer, 2014. "What explains instability in foster care? Comparison of a matched sample of children with stable and unstable placements," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 36-45.
    4. Yampolskaya, Svetlana & Sharrock, Patty & Armstrong, Mary I. & Strozier, Anne & Swanke, Jayme, 2014. "Profile of children placed in out-of-home care: Association with permanency outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 195-200.
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    1. Perez Jolles, Monica & Givens, Ashley & Lombardi, Brianna & Cuddeback, Gary S., 2019. "Welfare caseworkers' perceived responsibility for the behavioral needs of children: A national profile," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 80-84.
    2. Winters, Andrew M. & Collins-Camargo, Crystal & Antle, Becky F. & Verbist, A. Nathan, 2020. "Implementation of system-wide change in child welfare and behavioral health: The role of capacity, collaboration, and readiness for change," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    3. Onovbiona, Harlee & Mapes, Ayla R. & Quetsch, Lauren B. & Theodorou, Laurie L. & McNeil, Cheryl B., 2023. "Parent-child interaction therapy for children in foster care and children with posttraumatic stress: Exploring behavioral outcomes and graduation rates in a large state-wide sample," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    4. Myers, Christina & Garcia, Antonio & Beidas, Rinad & Yang, Zixiaojie, 2020. "Factors that predict child welfare caseworker referrals to an evidence-based parenting program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    5. Barth, Richard P. & Rozeff, Leslie J. & Kerns, Suzanne E.U. & Baldwin, Melinda J., 2020. "Partnering for Success: Implementing a cross-systems collaborative model between behavioral health and child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    6. Dauber, Sarah & John, Tiffany & Hogue, Aaron & Nugent, Jessica & Hernandez, Gina, 2017. "Development and implementation of a screen-and-refer approach to addressing maternal depression, substance use, and intimate partner violence in home visiting clients," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 157-167.
    7. McLean, Karen & Clarke, Jessica & Scott, Dorothy & Hiscock, Harriet & Goldfeld, Sharon, 2020. "Foster and kinship carer experiences of accessing healthcare: A qualitative study of barriers, enablers and potential solutions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    8. Pullmann, Michael D. & Jacobson, Jedediah & Parker, Elizabeth & Cevasco, Molly & Uomoto, Jacqueline A. & Putnam, Barbara J. & Benshoof, Trishia & Kerns, Suzanne E.U., 2018. "Tracing the pathway from mental health screening to services for children and youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 340-354.
    9. Cheng, Tyrone C. & Lo, Celia C., 2018. "Racial disparities in the proportion of needed services maltreated children received," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 72-81.

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