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ABSTRACT
This study explored facilitators of and barriers to mental health services for children in foster care in a Southeastern state. We thematically analyzed 10 interviews with foster parents. Throughout the interviews, a wide range of facilitators and barriers that promote the use of mental health services among children in foster care at the child welfare system, children in foster care, foster parents, biological parents, and mental health provider levels, were identified. Findings suggest that all stakeholders must collaborate to address both systemic and individual barriers to improve the use of mental health services among children in foster care.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Institutional review board statement
This study was approved by the University of South Carolina IRB.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Yanfeng Xu
Dr. Yanfeng Xu is an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work. Her research focuses on improving the well-being of children in kinship care and non-kin foster care.
Nelís Soto-Ramírez
Dr. Nelis Soto-Ramirez is currently a Senior Researcher at the Center of Child and Family Studies at the University of South Carolina, holding a PhD degree in Epidemiology from the same university. Her research interests include child welfare, mental health, access to health care, maternal and child health.
Oluranti Babalola
Oluranti Babalola is a Ph.D. candidate at the College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, and holds a Medical Degree. Her research interest falls in the following themes: Mental Health services; Caregivers’ health; Psychological conditions in vulnerable populations; Minority Aging, and Dementia.