Welfare Reform on the Web (December 2011): Mental health services - overseas

Psychotropic medication oversight for youth in foster care: a national perspective on state child welfare policy and practice guidelines

T.I. Mackie and others

Children and Youth Services Review, vol. 33, 2011, p. 2213-2220

The rising rate of psychotropic medication use among young people in foster care is a pressing issue confronting US child welfare services. In response Congress enacted the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act in October 2008. This Act calls on child welfare experts to collaborate with state child welfare agencies to develop plans for psychotropic medication oversight. Such efforts will be informed by recognition of state variation in the presence and comprehensiveness of policies and guidelines for both psychotropic medication oversight and mental health evaluation. State characteristics, especially the presence of a medical and mental health director, may be an important consideration in the development of a policy of written guideline.