Behavioral Health Needs of Individuals Involved in Child Welfare

Course overview

Youth usually enter the child welfare system because their home is not safe. This can lead to many challenges that put them at risk for behavioral health problems, like anxiety, depression, or trouble managing emotions. People who work with these children should understand the common risks that can harm a child's mental health, as well as the protective factors that can help them cope and heal. They also need to know how to identify these factors through proper screening and assessment tools. Most importantly, professionals should learn effective ways to support these children, reduce their challenges, and connect them with the care and treatment they need to get better. This course will describe common behavioral health challenges experienced by youth involved in the child welfare system. It will also discuss risk and protective factors that influence these youth's mental health. Finally, assessment and intervention strategies that can support these youth will also be presented.