Service use and multi-sector use for mental health problems by youth in contact with child welfare

This article uses data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) to examine multi-sector service use for mental health problems by youth in contact with social service agencies. At 18-months post-investigation for abuse/neglect, 24% was receiving some service for a mental health problem. Among served youth, 33% received services from multiple sectors. Likelihood of service use was higher for youth who were older, male, in non-kin foster care, had more severe mental health problems, and more parental risk factors. Among service users, few factors differentiated youth who used multiple sectors from those served in only one sector.