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  • Understanding Psychotropic Medications

Understanding Psychotropic Medications

Children and youth who have experienced trauma, such as abuse or neglect, may build resiliency and heal over time. Others may need additional supports and services, including medication. Research in recent years has shown that children and youth involved with child welfare are disproportionately prescribed psychotropic medications compared with their peers who are not involved with child welfare. While there is a role for these medications to help address certain illnesses, emotions, or behaviors, they can be harmful if used improperly. Psychotropic medications should be administered using an informed consent process that considers all benefits and risks and includes youth—along with doctors and caregivers—as decision-makers. This process includes the youth understanding treatment options and voluntarily choosing to take the medications. This section provides resources regarding considerations for the appropriate use and oversight of psychotropic medications with a particular focus on children and youth in foster care.

  • Guidelines and policies
  • State and local examples

Children Exposed to Maltreatment: Assessment and the Role of Psychotropic Medication
Keeshin, Forkey, Fouras, & MacMillan (2020)
Pediatrics, 145(2)
Offers guidance on the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions commonly experienced by maltreated children and youth with a particular focus on the appropriate use of psychotropic medication.

Children in Foster Care Much More Likely to Be Prescribed Psychotropic Medications Compared With Non-Foster Children in Medicaid Program
American Academy of Pediatrics (2021)
Describes how children in foster care are significantly more likely to be placed on psychotropic medications than children who are not in care. The news release shares findings from a recent study that show children in care are overprescribed and overmedicated.

Improving the Appropriate Use of Psychotropic Medication for Children in Foster Care: A Resource Center
Center for Health Care Strategies (2018)
Explains how children in foster care are more likely than other children to be administered psychotropic medications and shares publications, tools, and webinars to help States and practitioners improve their oversight and monitoring of psychotropic medication use.

Improving the Use of Psychotropic Medication Among Children and Youth in Foster Care: A View From the States [Webinar]
Center for Health Care Strategies (2018)
Details cross-agency approaches in the monitoring and oversight of psychotropic medication use among children and youth in child welfare.

Oversight of Psychotropic Medications Prescribed to Children in Foster Care (PDF - 765 KB)
National Judicial Task Force to Examine the State Courts’ Response to Mental Illness (2022)
Examines the role of judges and courts in the oversight of psychotropic medications prescribed to children in foster care.

Psychopharmaceutical Prescription Monitoring for Children in the Child Welfare System
Raman, Jarrett, Cull, Gracey, Shaffer, & Epstein (2021)
Psychiatric Services, 73(3)
Presents evidence on the high rates of psychotropic medications prescribed to children and youth in child welfare compared with the general population.

Too Much, Too Many, Too Young: Youth Assent to Psychotropic Medication in Foster Care Is a Basic Human Right
Gretter (2021)
Human Rights Magazine, 41(1)
Examines the overprescription of psychotropic medications to children and youth involved with child welfare. The article also discusses the importance of an informed consent process that considers all benefits and risks and includes youth—along with doctors and caregivers—as decision-makers.

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Making Health Choices: Resources for Youth, Caregivers, and Caseworkers
Child Welfare Information Gateway

Use these resources to assist youth in making decisions about their mental health, treatment options, and the use of psychotropic medications. These publications, which are available in English and Spanish, can serve as discussion tools for child welfare professionals, foster parents, caregivers, health-care providers, and others working with youth in foster care. The materials outline ways in which youth can manage powerful feelings and behaviors and make healthy, informed choices about their own mental health. They can help youth understand how psychotropic medication can help, as well as learn about other treatment options that are available.
 

Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care
U.S. Children's Bureau
(2012)

 

Tomando Decisiones Saludables: Una Guía Sobre Medicamentos Psicotrópicos Para Jóvenes en Cuidado de Crianza (Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care)
U.S. Children's Bureau
(2012)

 

Supporting Youth in Foster Care in Making Healthy Choices: A Guide for Caregivers and Caseworkers on Trauma, Treatment, and Psychotropic Medications
U.S. Children's Bureau
(2015)

 

Apoyando a jóvenes en cuidado de crianza: Tomando decisiones saludables: Una guía para proveedores de cuidados y trabajadores de caso sobre el trauma, su tratamiento y el uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos (Supporting Youth in Foster Care in Making Healthy Choices: A Guide for Caregivers and Caseworkers on Trauma, Treatment, and Psychotropic Medications)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2015)

Spotlight On

Child Welfare: Oversight of Psychotropic Medication for Children in Foster Care (PDF - 1,392 KB)

Congressional Research Service (2017)

Health-Care Coverage for Children and Youth in Foster Care—and After
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2022)

Resources to Educate Youth, Families, Child Welfare Staff, and Providers About Psychotropic Medications (PDF - 184 KB)

Center for Health Care Strategies (2018)

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