1. Improving Functioning of Children Birth to Five with Emotional and Behavioral Problems: The Role of Comprehensive Mental Health Services and Supports
- Author
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Cohen, Alison K, Hazelton, Tracy, Bassey, Henrissa, Gutierrez-Padilla, Margie, Novosel, Carolyn, Nichols, Chloe R, and Jain, Sonia
- Subjects
Paediatrics ,Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Clinical Research ,Mental Health ,Health Services ,Basic Behavioral and Social Science ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Pediatric ,Mental health ,Good Health and Well Being ,childhood ,health promotion ,health services ,mental health ,program evaluation ,public services - Abstract
IntroductionEmotional and behavioral problems are growing among children ages birth to five, and racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist. Comprehensive, culturally responsive, family-driven systems of care, such as the one operated by California's diverse, urban Alameda County, offer one potential intervention.MethodsWe used client-level service data (n = 496 children) to calculate descriptive statistics and regression analyses (including multilevel models to account for observations for the same client at multiple points in time). We estimated the prevalence of mental health issues and assessed the association between the length of time using services and emotional and behavioral functioning.ResultsComprehensive mental health services and supports were associated with improved emotional and behavioral functioning outcomes for children over time, even after controlling for other risk factors.DiscussionSystems of care appear to support the multidimensional functioning of children and their families.
- Published
- 2023