Use of Out-of-Home Care Among a Statewide Population of Children and Youth Enrolled in Medicaid

This study used Medicaid claims to examine patterns of out-of-home care—residential treatment, psychiatric hospitals, and general hospitals—and identify demographic and diagnostic characteristics associated with the sector of care used. The study also looked at whether youth had more than one out-of-home stay during the year. Nearly 40 percent of children in out-of-home care had more than one out-of-home stay during the year, and 40 percent of these youth received services from more than one sector of out-of-home care. The findings underscore the need for a systemwide approach to reducing use of out-of-home care.