A Framework for Measurement Feedback to Improve Decision-Making in Mental Health

The authors present a multi-level framework for conceptualizing and designing measurement systems to improve decision-making in the treatment and prevention of child and adolescent mental health problems as well as the promotion of well-being. Also included is a description of the recommended drivers of the development and refinement of these measurement systems and the importance of the architecture upon which these measurement systems are built. The authors conclude with a set of recommendations for the next steps for the field

Young adult outcomes and mental health problems among transition age youth investigated for maltreatment during adolescence

This study examines the young adult outcomes of a nationally representative cohort of transition age youth who were involved with the Child Welfare System (CWS) during adolescence. We report on the demographic and psychosocial characteristics, risk of mental health problems, and developmental milestones related to young adult outcome among these transition age youth. We also examined the effect of risk for mental health problems on young adult outcomes, over and above other psychosocial risk factors. Many youth were living in poverty, getting married early and already parenting, involved with the criminal justice system and had high levels of mental health need. Being at risk for a mental health problem increased the likelihood of criminal justice system involvement for these youth. Youth transitioning to adulthood with a history of CWS involvement appear to be at risk for negative developmental outcomes. Our findings are consistent with previous findings and highlight the risks associated with the transition to adulthood for youth who were involved with the CWS in adolescence.Transition to adulthood Child maltreatment Young adult outcomes Child welfare Mental health problems NSCAW

Maternal Perceptions of Temperament Among Infants and Toddlers Investigated for Maltreatment: Implications for Services Need and Referral

Infants and young children reported for maltreatment are a particularly vulnerable population. Many of these young children are maltreated by their own mothers. A mother’s description of her infant’s temperament can inform researchers’, practitioners’, and policy makers’ understanding of the relational problems between the mother and her young child and thereby sharpen the focus of intervention and treatment programs. We examine maternal perception of infants’ temperament, using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. The sample consisted of 1,001 biological mothers of children aged birth to 23 months and investigated for child maltreatment. About a fifth of the sample reported that for more than half the time their infants or toddlers were crying or upset and were difficult to soothe or calm. During the average day, about 40% of infants or toddlers were reportedly fussy and irritable half the time or longer. The most negative infant behaviors were consistently reported by 13.6% of the mothers. In multivariate analyses, variables significantly associated with the mother’s perception of difficult temperament were physical victimization by an intimate partner and the mother’s own childhood history of abuse and neglect. Knowledge about mothers’ perceptions of difficult temperament and about predictors of these perceptions can help identify mother-child dyads in need of dyadic-psychotherapy and domestic violence interventions, which can help heal the mother-child relationship and restore the capacity for mutual joy and protection of the child well-being

Supported Education for Individuals With Psychiatric Disabilities: State of the Practice and Policy Implications

OBJECTIVE: Supported education (SEd) is a promising practice that supports and encourages educational goals and attainment among individuals with psychiatric disabilities. This paper provides insights into how SEd objectives are pursued in different settings, assesses the evidence base, and discusses policy implications. METHOD: Insights from 3 data sources were synthesized: published literature, an environmental scan, and 3 site visits to programs that support the education goals of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. RESULTS: While setting, target populations, level of coordination with supported employment, and financing strategies varied, common SEd components emerged: specialized and dedicated staffing, one-on-one and group skill-building activities, assistance with navigating the academic setting and coordinating different services, and linkages with mental health counseling. The evidence base is growing; however, many published studies to date do not employ rigorous methodology. Conclusions and Implications for Policy and Practice: Continued specification, operationalization, and testing of SEd core components are needed. The components of the evolving SEd model would benefit from rigorous testing to evaluate impact on degree completion and other key impacts such as employment; health, mental health, or recovery; and community participation. In addition to funding streams from special education and Medicaid, new opportunities for increasing the availability of SEd include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) reauthorization, which requires state vocational rehabilitation agencies to fund preemployment services for transition-age individuals. New set-aside requirements for the Mental Health Services Block Grant will increase funding for early intervention services for individuals with serious mental illness, potentially including SEd

A Framework for Measurement Feedback to Improve Decision-Making in Mental Health

The authors present a multi-level framework for conceptualizing and designing measurement systems to improve decision-making in the treatment and prevention of child and adolescent mental health problems as well as the promotion of well-being. Also included is a description of the recommended drivers of the development and refinement of these measurement systems and the importance of the architecture upon which these measurement systems are built. The authors conclude with a set of recommendations for the next steps for the field