Multisystem-Involved Youth: A Developmental Framework and Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice.

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Social Work
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Multisystem-involved youth (MIY) are children and adolescents concurrently engaged with child welfare, behavioral health, and/or juvenile justice systems.
• These youth are a high-risk, vulnerable population often experiencing multiple adversities and trauma.
• Little is known about their specific needs and the pathways leading to multisystem involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize existing literature on the prevalence, characteristics, risk factors, and disparities of multisystem-involved youth.
• To describe a developmental cascade framework to illustrate pathways of multisystem involvement and intervention opportunities.
• To identify gaps in research, practice, and policy for this population.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on multisystem-involved youth.
• Application of a developmental cascade framework to understand the impact of early adversity.
• Analysis of challenges in screening, assessment, evidence-based practices, and cross-system collaboration.

Main Results:

• Multisystem-involved youth are an understudied population, potentially representing a majority of youth already in service systems.
• Disproportionately, many multisystem-involved youth are from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.
• Significant gaps exist in standardized screening, trauma assessment, tailored evidence-based practices, and cross-system coordination.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for integrated approaches to identify and support multisystem-involved youth.
• Recommendations focus on advancing research, improving clinical and family practices, and enhancing cross-system collaboration.
• Addressing the complex needs of these youth requires a multidimensional developmental perspective and coordinated system efforts.