The country’s youth mental health crisis continues to increase demand for psychiatric beds. Yet, the availability of residential treatment facilities, reserved for youth with severe emotional disturbances, is on the decline. What impact does this have on youth—including those in foster care--with high levels of need, and how do we ensure access to treatment for the children who need it most?

This week, Naomi and Ian are joined by Scott Dziengelski, a consultant at King and Spalding LLP and former director of policy and regulatory affairs at the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, to discuss his recent report, “Deinstitutionalization Redux: The Decline in Residential Mental Health Treatment for Youth.” The report highlights the concerning shortage of residential treatment facilities and bed space for youth who need care. In this episode, Scott explains the current move toward deinstitutionalization, the effect of negative media messaging around residential treatment centers, and the crucial policy and cultural changes needed to ensure youth with severe challenges receive the care they need.

Resources

-Deinstitutionalization Redux: The Decline in Residential Mental Health Treatment for Youth | Scott Dziengelski

-How Foster Kids Are Being Damaged by a Lack of Home Care Facilities | Naomi Schaefer Riley

-Why Foster Children Are Sleeping in Offices and What We Can Do About It | Sean Hughes et al.

Show Notes

-00:58 | How did you get involved in children’s mental health policy?

-02:20 | What does the spectrum of need look like for children’s mental health, and which children are served by residential treatment facilities?

-05:26 | How do you interpret the data around the rise in children’s mental health challenges?

-07:34 | What led to the decrease in availability of residential treatment facilities?

-10:34 | Why are people advocating for the deinstitutionalization of residential treatment facilities?

-13:23 | Two congressional hearings on residential treatment recently took place. What impact will these have on the availability of residential treatment?

-16:55 | How does tying educational funds to children help when residential treatment is needed?

-21:18 | What is your recommendation on Medicaid dollars following children in care? How do we shift the narrative on residential treatment facilities?

-25:37 | Which states are doing the best in regard to residential treatment facilities?