This Michigan proposed policy for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment for Children in Foster Care should be viewed as an admission of neglect by the state because it never did it before. The policy states it "should" instead of "it does" which means the care of children and youth is not "comprehensive, well-coordinated, and fully documented."
"The care of children and youth should be comprehensive, well-coordinated, and fully documented throughout their stay in foster care."
Q: "What happens to a foster care youth who has been receiving mental and medical services when they age out the system?"
A: (1) Homelessness;
(2) Prostitution;
(3) Drug dealing/usage;
(4) Incarceration;
(5) Murder/Suicide;
(6) Some of the above;
(7) All of the above.
How can a state kick a mentally ill or medically fragile foster youth on the street just because they turned 18, or in some instances 21? It is done every day.
The States have the obligation to extend "comprehensive, well-coordinated and fully documented" medical and mental health services to youth who age out. This includes access to their own records for continued care.
Now, there needs to be Post Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Children Aging Out of Foster Care to transition into assisted living programs. It can be called a successful exit strategy of foster care.
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