Sarah Ahmed-Weidman

Abstract:

The American Academy of Pediatrics “Healthy Foster Care American Initiative” identifies mental and behavioral health as the two “greatest unmet health needs for children and teens in foster care.” In addition, the traumatic experiences reported by a large percentage of foster youth combined with the fact that the general population of adolescents begin drinking anywhere from age 13 until 17 increase the likelihood of substance use disorders in foster youth. Furthermore, close to one fifth of the U.S. prison population has been in foster care; a trend referred to as the ‘Foster Care to Prison Pipeline’ (Courtney et al. 2011.)Through literature review, I examined the rationale and methodology of these statistics and developed conclusions regarding best practices for service providers and legislators. Findings demonstrate numerous needs need including an increase in the number of preventative services for substance abuse disorders available and a focus on providing better quality mental health services.