Feasibility of shelter-based mental health screening for homeless children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Mental Health Services
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Homeless children are disproportionately affected by mental health and behavioral disorders due to factors like housing instability and domestic violence.
• Screening for these disorders in homeless children using validated instruments is infrequent.
• Integrated programs offering outreach, screening, referral, and care coordination are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the early outcomes of a project integrating mental health screening and care coordination for homeless children.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of nurse care coordinators in identifying and referring children with mental health needs.

Main Methods:

• The Medical Home for Homeless Children Project employed nurse care coordinators to conduct standardized nursing assessments.
• These assessments included evidence-based screening for child mental health and behavioral disorders.
• Referrals and case management services were provided for identified mental and behavioral health needs.

Main Results:

• Screening successfully identified a significant group of homeless children requiring mental health referrals.
• A substantial proportion of these necessary referrals were successfully completed, indicating program effectiveness.
• The project demonstrated the value of integrated care coordination in addressing the mental health needs of homeless children.

Conclusions:

• Integrated outreach, screening, and care coordination models are effective for addressing mental health issues in homeless children.
• Nurse care coordinators play a vital role in facilitating access to essential mental and behavioral health services for this population.
• Further implementation of such programs is warranted to improve health outcomes for homeless children.