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Article
Homelessness and Children's Use of Mental Health Services: A Population-Based Study
Children and Youth Services Review (2011)
  • Jung Min Park, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Stephen Metraux, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
  • Dennis P Culhane, University of Pennsylvania
  • David Mandell, University of Pennsylvania
Abstract

This study examined whether children who become homeless differ from other low-income children in their mental health service use before and after their first homeless episode, and to what extent homelessness is associated with an increased likelihood of mental health service use. Differences between children with and without new onset of sheltered homelessness in the use of mental health services emerged following homelessness and widened over time. Sheltered homelessness and foster care placement history were associated with increased odds of receiving inpatient and ambulatory mental health services. Findings underscore the importance of collaborations between homeless assistance, foster care, and mental healthcare in efforts to mitigate family homelessness and collateral needs among homeless children.

Publication Date
December, 2011
Citation Information
Jung Min Park, Stephen Metraux, Dennis P Culhane and David Mandell. "Homelessness and Children's Use of Mental Health Services: A Population-Based Study" Children and Youth Services Review Vol. 33 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/dennis_culhane/112/