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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research

Published in:

01-01-2009 | Original Paper

Child Welfare Recommendations to Improve Mental Health Services for Children who have Experienced Abuse and Neglect: A National Perspective

Authors: David J. Kolko, Amy D. Herschell, Amanda H. Costello, Rachel P. Kolko

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

This study uses a key informant approach to understand the nature, extent, and quality of outpatient mental health services for children in the child welfare system (CWS) in the United States. We interviewed 89 county child welfare administrators to determine the status of outpatient mental health services and provide recommendations for enhancing care and service delivery. Developed for this study (Caring for Children in Child Welfare), the interview was incorporated in the second formal data collection wave (i.e., 18 months after study baseline assessment) of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. The results highlighted general variability in the degree to which these agencies used evidence-based interventions within outpatient services, demonstrated clinical expertise with this population, and met the needs of their families. Community agency use of evidence-based interventions was found to predict their effectiveness in improving clients’ mental health problems. Proposed suggestions for service improvement varied across domains and reflected the need for more communication/coordination, service access, options and resources, and practice refinements to accommodate families’ needs. We discuss the implications of these recommendations from CWS stakeholders for enhancing the service delivery system.

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Title: Child Welfare Recommendations to Improve Mental Health Services for Children who have Experienced Abuse and Neglect: A National Perspective
Authors: David J. Kolko
Amy D. Herschell
Amanda H. Costello
Rachel P. Kolko
Publication date: 01-01-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-008-0202-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Child Welfare Recommendations to Improve Mental Health Services for Children who have Experienced Abuse and Neglect: A National Perspective

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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Psychiatric Treatment of Social Disadvantage

Community Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse: A Survey of Practitioners in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Introduction to the Special Section on Practice Contexts: A Glimpse into the Nether World of Public Mental Health Services for Children and Families

Implementation Research in Mental Health Services: an Emerging Science with Conceptual, Methodological, and Training challenges

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Evaluation of a Treatment Manual and Workshops for Disseminating, Parent–Child Interaction Therapy