Context Specific Mental Health Services for Children in Foster Care

Abstract

Although a high proportion of foster children receive mental health services, existing research suggests limited accessibility and effectiveness of these services. This paper discusses strategies to develop a model to deliver evidence-based services using the unique opportunities apparent within publicly funded child welfare systems. An ecologically-focused model providing enhanced services in children's homes and schools could capitalize on these opportunities and radically improve access and effectiveness of mental health services for foster children. We present data from four focus groups conducted with foster parents, caseworkers, and therapists to understand the feasibility of implementing this type of service model. Results support the need for services focused on enhancing interactions in children's foster homes and schools, but also suggest that issues related to priorities and primary roles could limit the extent that caseworkers and agency-based mental health providers would follow through with the proposed service model.