1. California State University Monterey Bay
Mental Health Treatment among children in Foster Care in the United States
Bianca Archuleta
Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Social Work
California State University Monterey Bay

2. Mental health among children in Foster care in the United States
“between 40% and 60% of youths in foster care have at least 1 psychiatric disorder, and approximately 33% have 3 or more diagnosed psychiatric problems” (DosReis, Zito, Safer, Soeken, 2001)
“a government report published in revealed that no states met compliance for addressing mental health needs for children in foster care” (Huchitson,2013)
Image retrieved from Soberinspiration,blogspot.com

3. Causes “high waiting lists or provider issues” (Thomas,2015)
“Few CWSs routinely screen for trauma exposure and associated symptoms beyond an initial assessment of the precipitating event” (Greeson et al., 2011)
“major challenge is the lack of mental health training for both child welfare staff and foster families” (Austin,2004)
Image retrieved from

4. Effects
“Of particular note are the symptoms of trauma experienced by foster youth. These symptoms result in mental health diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)” (Johnson, Pryce, 2013)
“The drug habits of youths in foster care can seriously impede their chances of continuing their education or finding employment, often with dire consequences”( Spark Action,1999)
Lack of oversight of psychotropic medications that have been prescribed to children in foster care (Government Accountability Office (GAO),2014)
Image retrieved from ronunruhgps.blogspot.com

5. Proposed Solutions
An Interdisciplinary Training Initiative for Underserved Children
Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT).  Many mental health professionals are unaware of the advantages of TF-CBT. (Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIG), 2012a)
Image retrieved from

6. Proposed solutions continued
Mandatory compliance for each state
Funding is provided federally; however, ultimately it is the state to responsibly comply with regulations that are set before them. (CWIG, 2012b)
Image retrieved from usamakif.org

7. Proposed Solutions Continued
Mandatory stop on prescribed psychotropic medications
Image retrieved from

8. References
Austin, L. (2004). Mental Health Needs of Youth in Foster Care: Challenges and Strategies. The Connection Quarterly Magazine of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, 20, 4. Retrieved from
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2012a). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children iaffected by sexual abuse or trauma. Retrieved from
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2012b). Major Federal Legislation Concerned with child protection, child welfare, and adoption. Retrieved from
DosReis, S., Zito, J. M., Safer, D. J., & Soeken, K. L. (2001). Mental Health Services for Youths in Foster Care and Disabled Youths. American Journal Of Public Health, 91(7),
GAO urges oversight for foster children medication use managed by MCOs. (2014). Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, 16(7), 3-4.
Greeson, J. P., Briggs, E. C., Kisiel, C. L., Layne, C. M., Ake III, G. S., Ko, S. J., & ... Fairbank, J. A. (2011). Complex Trauma and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents Placed in Foster Care: Findings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Child Welfare, 90(6),
Hutchison, L. (2013). Addressing the mental health needs of children in foster care: The medical home model. Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 29(11), 8.
Johnson, S. B., & Pryce, J. M. (2013). Therapeutic Mentoring: Reducing the Impact of Trauma for Foster Youth. Child Welfare, 92(3), 9-25.
Spark Action. (1999). The impact of substance abuse on foster care. Retrieved from
Thomas, J. R. (2015). Federal court monitor: Foster children’s needs still unmet. The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved from

9. Thank you Your time is appreciated
Contact Information:
Bianca Archuleta
Collaborative Health and Human Services Department