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Mental Health Services

Children and adolescents involved in the child welfare system can be at greater risk for mental health issues than children in the general population because of histories of child abuse and neglect, separation from biological parents, or placement instability. Children with untreated mental health problems can be at greater risk for substance abuse, educational failure, juvenile delinquency, imprisonment, or homelessness. Mental health is frequently a concern in reunification efforts, and it is one of the main reasons adoptive parents seek postadoption services. Professionals and families need information on best practices and improved access to quality mental health services.

• Mental health and child welfare overview
• Common mental health issues for children, youth and families involved in child welfare
• Range of mental health services
• Effectiveness of mental health services
• Working with families
• Obtaining mental health services
• Systems issues in mental health service delivery
• Mental health in the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs)

Selected Resources Child and Adolescent Health and Mental Health Care National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning Publications and website addressing the health and mental health of children and youth in foster care. National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development Resources, publications, and training materials to help States in delivering effective, culturally competent and appropriate mental health services for children and families.

Related Information Gateway Topics Adoption: Postadoption services - Help for families: Counseling, support groups, and Respite care Child abuse & neglect: Impact - Long-term consequences of abuse and neglect: Health and mental health Out-of-home care: Casework practice in out-of-home care - Casework practice with children and youth in out-of-home care: Mental health issues and services in out-of-home care Systemwide: Assessment - Comprehensive family assessment: Assessing needs and strengths-Child: Assessing child mental health Systemwide: Cultural competence - Cultural competence in mental health services Systemwide: Service improvement/systems reform - Interagency collaboration: Collaborations with health and mental health services Systemwide: Service improvement/systems reform - Systems of care

Updated on April 9, 2008