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Unclaimed children revisited: The status of state children's mental health service systems

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Abstract

In 1982, Jane Knitzer'sUnclaimed Children described continued nationwide failure to provide services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances. Since 1982, there has been considerable change in the philosophy, administration, and operation of services for this population. The current study compared state child and adolescent (C/A) mental health systems to those described inUnclaimed Children. Present findings are based on surveys of State Mental Health Representatives for Children and Youth in 1988/89 and 1993. Results indicated a marked increase in the number of state administrative offices and staff for C/A mental health. Much pertinent legislation had been passed. States developed a target population definition and largely officially embraced the Child and Adolescent Services System Program (CASSP) principles of an ideal system of care. Out-of-state placements were high, and placements on adult wards still existed. Counts of these placements were often unavailable to mental health officials.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charles River Health Management, Inc., 77 Warren St., 01235, Brighton, MA

    Maryann Davis Ph.D. (Director of Research)

  2. Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa

    Susan Yelton M.S.W. (assistant professor)

  3. Office of Systems Development and Planning, in the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch of the Center for Mental Health Services, within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD

    Judith Katz-Leavy M.Ed. (director)

  4. Human Service Collaborative, Washington, DC

    Ira S. Lourie M.D. (consultant)

Authors
  1. Maryann Davis Ph.D.
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  2. Susan Yelton M.S.W.
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  3. Judith Katz-Leavy M.Ed.
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  4. Ira S. Lourie M.D.
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Additional information

An earlier version of this article was presented at the 6th Annual Research Conference—A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base, Tampa, FL., March 1–3, 1993.

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Davis, M., Yelton, S., Katz-Leavy, J. et al. Unclaimed children revisited: The status of state children's mental health service systems. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 22, 147–166 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518755

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518755

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