More than 1.4 million children and youth are being served by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These young people have all experienced some form of trauma. There could be trauma from an event that caused them to be placed out of their family’s home and there is trauma that comes from being separated from their family and placed into the child welfare system. In this video, UnitedHealthcare Community & State leaders discuss how Medicaid can address and improve the physical, behavioral and emotional well-being of the young people served by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Test yourself! Take the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems knowledge quiz.
How many children and youth live in foster care, group homes, or residential or institutional settings and are part of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems?
Correct!
1.4 million children and youth live in foster care, group homes, or residential or institutional settings and are part of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
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1.4 million children and youth live in foster care, group homes, or residential or institutional settings and are part of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
The child welfare and juvenile justice systems includes individuals who:
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The child welfare and juvenile justice systems’ population of young people includes individuals who: live in foster care, have transitioned from or aged out foster care; are in the adoption system; or are in the custody of the juvenile justice system.
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The child welfare and juvenile justice systems’ population of young people includes individuals who: live in foster care, have transitioned from or aged out foster care; are in the adoption system; or are in the custody of the juvenile justice system.
More than 60 percent of kids in foster care are under the age of 6.
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More than 40 percent of kids in foster care are under the age of 6. Foster care is a temporary living arrangement provided by the State or country for children who become unable to live in their family home.
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More than 40 percent of kids in foster care are under the age of 6. Foster care is a temporary living arrangement provided by the State or country for children who become unable to live in their family home.
How many kids were adopted through the child welfare system in 2020?
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In the past fiscal year, close to 58,000 children were adopted. Currently, about 117,000 children in the United States are awaiting adoption through the child welfare system.
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In the past fiscal year, close to 58,000 children were adopted. Currently, about 117,000 children in the United States are awaiting adoption through the child welfare system.
Children who “age out” of foster care transition out of foster care and into "adulthood," becoming their own guardians. At what age does this happen?
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Young adults can “age out” of foster care and transition to “adulthood” between 17 and 21, depending on various factors: judicial rules or regulations in a specific state, the needs of the young people and personal desire.
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Young adults can “age out” of foster care and transition to “adulthood” between 17 and 21, depending on various factors: judicial rules or regulations in a specific state, the needs of the young people and personal desire.
Youth under age 18 who have committed a crime are members of what system?
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Individuals under age 18 who have committed a crime are members of the juvenile justice system. Most states set 10 as the minimum age required for a youth to enter state custody, with an emphasis on waiting until the youth reaches age 12.
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Individuals under age 18 who have committed a crime are members of the juvenile justice system. Most states set 10 as the minimum age required for a youth to enter state custody, with an emphasis on waiting until the youth reaches age 12.
The majority of kids in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have experienced trauma, therefore have greater physical health and behavioral care needs. A trauma-informed care approach helps reduce negative health outcomes for kids who are in the care of these two systems.
Correct!
Children in child welfare or juvenile justice system have experienced trauma and have greater physical health and behavioral care needs. A trauma-informed care approach helps reduce negative health outcomes for kids who are in the care of these two systems.
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Children in child welfare or juvenile justice system have experienced trauma and have greater physical health and behavioral care needs. A trauma-informed care approach helps reduce negative health outcomes for kids who are in the care of these two systems.
Which of the following is true for young people in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems:
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One third of children in foster care have chronic medical conditions and about 80 percent of those entering foster care have a significant mental health need. High rates of behavioral health disorders are also common among youth in the juvenile justice system. Between one- and three-quarters of these youth have at least one diagnosable disorder, such as bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD).
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One third of children in foster care have chronic medical conditions and about 80 percent of those entering foster care have a significant mental health need. High rates of behavioral health disorders are also common among youth in the juvenile justice system. Between one- and three-quarters of these youth have at least one diagnosable disorder, such as bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD).
Most youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems are eligible for Medicaid. Which of the following is not a Medicaid eligibility factor:
Correct!
System status is an eligibility factor. The other factors that impact Medicaid eligibility for children and youth include type of placement, funding for placement, system and age of youth.
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System status is an eligibility factor. The other factors that impact Medicaid eligibility for children and youth include type of placement, funding for placement, system and age of youth.
