Recognizing the Impact of the Disproportionate Prescribing of Polypharmacy Psychotropic Medications to Children in Foster Care

Event Summary:

To celebrate Nation Foster Youth Voice Month, a documentary review of Recovering Innocence and panel presentation of health care experts, social service providers, and foster care peers and advocates will discuss

1. Definition of Polypsychotropic Medication- The prescribing two or more  psychotropic drugs at the same time to treat a patient. Psychotropic medications are psychoactive drugs that affect a person's emotions, mood, and behavior by altering the chemical makeup of the brain and nervous system

2. The Social Security Act (specifically Title IV-E) requires states to have a health oversight plan for children in foster care to include protocols for appropriate use and monitoring of psychotropic medication

3. Disproportionality-Children in foster care have higher rates of mental health diagnoses, leading to more frequent use of psychotropic medications. Children on Medicaid, without accompanying psychotherapy or behavioral intervention : Increased rates of polypharmacy psychotropic prescribing post foster care placemen

4. Common class of psychotropic medication child welfare group:  

·       stimulants (15.95%)

·       antidepressants (9.88%)

·       antipsychotics (7.87%)

5. Child Welfare Diagnoses:

·       42.85% had a diagnosed mental health condition

·       22.93% trauma or stressor-related disorder

·       21.49% attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

·       11.67% behavior or conduct disorder

6. Benefits of Polypharmacy Psychotropic Medications-Comorbid conditions, Treatment-resistant cases, Complex conditions

7. Impact of Polypharmacy Psychotropic Medications:-Some medications can have significant side effects and may be inappropriately prescribed, highlighting the need for strong oversight: Drug-drug interactions; Increased medication burden and costs,  Adverse drug reactions and side effects
8. Role of Providers,  Oversight by MCO’s , Next Steps - Ensure that children in foster care receive high-quality, coordinated healthcare, with particular attention paid to the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medications, multidisciplinary reviews,

Contact: Dr. Marie Smith  9592296840

To register:   https://teamdyn.com/event-6341116 

Approved for 2.5 CE clock hours; no NBCC cewdits available for this program thought LCA.