Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Specialty Treatment Services and Race/Ethnicity: A National Study of Children and Families Involved with Child Welfare

Abstract:

This article presents the study findings from a national sample of children involved with child welfare systems to compare Native American caregivers with White, African-American and Hispanic caregivers in their need for, and receipt of, specialty alcohol, drug and mental health treatment. Native American caregivers were significantly less likely to receive services than were Hispanic caregivers (P less then .05), but not significantly less likely than were White or African-American caregivers. Child placement, child age and caregiver psychiatric comorbidity were significantly associated with service receipt.