Service Pathways for Children and Youth Meeting Criteria for Serious Emotional Disturbance

Abstract

Few studies offer guidance on best practice for social workers in assessment and recommendation of treatment services for specialty mental health services within a system of care (SOC). This study examined factors associated with service assignment among a population of children and youth (N = 1,270) entering a federally funded system of care program referred to specialty mental health services. Logistic regression was used to examine the likelihood of children and youth determined in need of varying levels of care coordination services based on child factors and referral source. Older youth, youth with internalizing problems, and those referred from mental health compared to juvenile justice and schools were significantly more likely determined in need of more intensive care coordination services. Race was not significantly associated with level of care determination. Findings suggest that differences exist in level of care determination for children entering system of care referred by the juvenile justice system and related services and schools. Social workers and providers need to be aware of these differences in order to properly screen children for internalizing problems when referred by sources other than mental health.