Children in Foster Care: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychiatric Diagnoses

This study examined psychiatric diagnoses and adverse childhood experiences in a matched sample (n = 144) of children enrolled in standard or treatment foster care programs and their associations with discharge placement restrictiveness for children (n = 90) in treatment foster care. Medical record data were extracted on psychiatric diagnoses, adverse childhood experiences, and discharge placement restrictiveness. Children in treatment versus standard foster care had significantly more psychiatric diagnoses and adverse childhood experiences. The presence of bipolar and opposi-tional defiant disorder was associated with a more restrictive discharge placement. Even without standardized screening, children with more severe presentations are found in treatment versus standard foster care. These findings support the need for coordinated mental health services in treatment foster care.