Psychotropic Medication Use by Pennsylvania Children in Foster Care and Enrolled in Medicaid
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At the request of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), PolicyLab analyzed trends in the use of psychotropic medications by Medicaid-enrolled children and youth in Pennsylvania, including those specifically in foster care. The analysis focused on the use of antipsychotics and polypharmacy among children and youth in the Commonwealth, given growing concerns about the safety and efficacy of psychotropic medications among these populations. This report examines these trends for children and youth ages 3-18 years, using state Medicaid data from 2007-2010 and 2012.