Multi-State Study on Psychotropic Medication in Foster Care

According to the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute:

• Psychotropic medication use in youth has increased significantly over the past decade
• Rates of use are much higher for youth in foster care (estimated between 13 and 52 percent) than for youth in the general population (4 percent).

In an effort to address this trend, Tufts researchers surveyed key staff in State child welfare and affiliated agencies between March 2009 and January 2010 to gather current policies and guidelines on psychotropic medication use in foster care and examine challenges and innovative solutions implemented by States.

The results have been published in a new report,Multi-State Study on Psychotropic Medication Oversight in Foster Care.