Crossover Youth

Abstract Children and adolescents with special needs are supposed to be cared for by the system that best fits their needs, whether it’s child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice. Those served by two or more of these systems are often referred to as “crossover kids,” though these systems have different, sometimes contradictory, purposes and approaches. Youth deemed ready to leave a mental health or juvenile justice facility who can’t go home default to the child welfare system, usually congregate care, even if their needs exceed available resources. This chapter describes the interplay between the systems and highlights some of the programs intended to address this population, especially the development of Residential Treatment Facilities (distinct from Residential Treatment Centers) for youth with serious mental health problems and Multisystemic Therapy for youth returning home from juvenile justice facilities. The chapter also explores PTSD and Adversive Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among children and adolescents in foster care.