The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44699

Marion Becker, RN, PhD, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1423, Tampa, FL 33612-3899, (813)974-7188, becker@fmhi.usf.edu and Neil Jordan, PhD, Dept of Mental Health Law & Policy, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612.

Objective: This study examines the use and cost of mental health services for children and custodial parents in Florida's foster care system. The study explores the impact of parent-child reunification on the pattern and cost of services used. Methods: The study sample includes Florida Medicaid enrolled children placed into foster care during FY 1999, and their custodial parents. Children in foster care placements are identified from Office of Family Safety Florida Abuse Hotline Information System (FAHIS) and Client Information System (CIS) files. Data include information from Medicaid and the Integrated Data Sets (IDS) for each child and custodial parent for up to 12 months during foster care placement and for up to 12 months after reunification. We use IDS data for each child and custodial parent for 12 months prior to foster care placement to establish baseline behavioral health services use. Results: There were 8,893 children with a report of maltreatment who were placed into foster care during FY 1999. Analysis includes a description of the service use and cost pattern by type of maltreatment reported and by type of foster care placement. We compare behavioral health service use and cost patterns for reunified families to children and parents who are not subsequently reunified within 12 months. Public policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Discuss the behavioral health care needs of children in the foster care system.
• Understand the impact of family reunification on the mental health care needs of families in the child welfare system.
• Describe and compare the differences in mental health services use and cost by type of maltreatment and foster care setting.

Keywords: Children, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.