Examining How the Mental Health Needs of Children Who Have Experienced Maltreatment are Addressed within Ontario Children’s Aid Societies

Abstract

American data suggest that there is often a lack of mental health service provision to children in the child welfare system that have experienced maltreatment and are exhibiting psychological difficulties. These data are concerning given that the existing literature unanimously concludes that children who have experienced maltreatment present with significantly higher rates of mental health difficulties than general samples of children in the community. Given that little Canadian research has been conducted in this area, this study examined the need identification and referral process made to mental health services by Ontario Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) for children who have experienced maltreatment. Findings indicate a high prevalence of mental health difficulties in this population and a limited standardized approach to the identification and assessment of these issues. It was found that the majority of children who do receive referrals to mental health services are referred to community-based psychologists. Findings regarding the tracking of community referrals and interagency collaboration were encouraging as compared to American data.

Childhood Maltreatment and Educational Outcomes

“…Regarding the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental health, there is overwhelming research evidence attesting to the deleterious short- and long-term impact of maltreatment on children’s mental well-being across a range of emotional (e.g., anxiety, mood) and behavioral (e.g., aggression, social skills deficits, peer relations, substance use) domains (Attar-Schwartz, 2009; Cicchetti & Toth, 1994; Cicchetti & Valentino, 2006; English et al, 2005; Flynn, Ghazal, Legault, Vandermeulen, & Petrick, 2004; Haskett, Nears, Ward, & McPherson, 2006; Kaplan et al, 1999; Kurtz et al, 1993; Shonk & Cicchetti, 2001; Staudt, 2001; Stone, 2007; Veltman & Browne, 2001; Wodarski, Kurtz, Gaudin, & Howing, 1990). Findings indicate that the prevalence of clinically significant mental health difficulties among maltreated children ranges from 40% to 80% (Burge, 2007; Czincz & Romano, 2009), which is in stark contrast to rates of 14–18% reported for nonmaltreated children (Stein, Rae-Grant, Ackland, & Avison, 1994; Waddell, Offord, Shepherd, Hua, & McEwan, 2002).…”

Cross-informant agreement on mental health outcomes in children with maltreatment histories: A systematic review.

“…These include, but are not limited to, brain development, language, cognitive development (e.g., concentration, memory), academic achievement, interpersonal relationships (e.g., child-caregiver attachment), and mental well-being (Cowell, Cicchetti, Rogosch, & Toth, 2015;Mills et al, 2013;Petrenko, Friend, Garrido, Taussig, & Culhane, 2012;Romano, Babchishin, Marquis, & Fréchette, 2015;Stone, 2007;Trout, Hagaman, Casey, Reid, & Epstein, 2008;Veltman & Browne, 2001). Research suggests that the frequency of clinically significant mental health difficulties among maltreated children ranges from 40 to 80% (Burge, 2007;Czincz & Romano, 2009), which contrasts sharply with rates of 14 to 18% reported for nonmaltreated children (Stein, Rae-Grant, Ackland, & Avison, 1994;Waddell, Offord, Shepherd, Hua, & McEwan, 2002). Despite the negative impact associated with maltreatment as well as the importance of early detection and treatment of mental health consequences for maltreated children, no previous research has synthesized the degree of agreement across informants (e.g., caregivers, children, and teachers) when assessing for mental health problems and when developing treatment plans to best address maltreatment-related effects.…”

Improving Mental Health Outcomes for Children and Youth Exposed to Abuse and Neglect

“…Identification of needs is also a challenge. A 2009 survey of Ontario CASs found that only 55% endorsed using some form of structured screening tool in the identification of mental health needs of children and youth in their care -and there was significant variation in the tools being used (Czincz and Romano 2009).…”