Foster Care Toolkit

3% of Medicaid non-disabled child enrollees are in foster care, and account for 15% of behavioral health services used by Medicaid children.

Behavioral conditions are in the top 3 common health conditions among children in foster care:

• ADHD: 16%
• Asthma: 16%
• Emotional problems/issues: 14%

Children in foster care, compared to other children, are:

• 2X as likely to have learning disabilities and developmental delays
• 3X as likely to have ADD/ADHD
• 5X as likely to have anxiety
• 6X as likely to have behavioral problems/issues/conditions
• 7X as likely to have depression

 Medicaid Children in Foster Care:

• 49% have a mental health diagnosis
• 3% have an SUD diagnosis

Other Medicaid children:

• 11% have a mental health diagnosis
• <1% have an SUD diagnosis

Medicaid children in foster care are 4x more likely to use psychotropic medications than other Medicaid children. In fact, these children represent 13% of ALL Medicaid enrollees receiving psychotropic medications.

2.6x higher behavioral health costs for foster care population compared to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Most common behavioral health services used by Medicaid children in foster care (2005):

• 61%: Individual therapy
• 49%: Psychotropic medications
• 41% Screening, assessment, and evaluation
• 27% Medication management visits
• 20% Family therapy

[Percentage of the total number of Medicaid children in foster care who used BH services of some type in 2005; children may had used more]