Michigan Needs Exit Strategy For Foster Youth

In the wake of national shootings of children the States are beginning to acknowledge its severely arcane deficiencies in mental health policies of child welfare.  Even more so, the States are beginning to understand the cost effective savings and societal benefits of preventive care for children by optimizing best practices in Medicaid funds for children.

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."

As youth age out of the foster care system, this "comprehensive, well-coordinated and fully documented" care ceases to exists (as it never truly existed).  

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.

Michigan Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Guidelines for Children in Foster C... by

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