Annual: COVID-19 continued to affect both in-state and out-of-state residential placements during FY22.  Over the past 3 years, social distancing efforts have led to these facilities closing their doors to new admissions during times throughout the year causing long wait times, the need for COVID testing and related outcomes.  In addition, during FY22, the LCT reviewed 17 more cases than in FY21, due to an increase in unsafe behaviors and the level of aggressive behavior in youth, as well as an increase in their refusal and/or inability to engage in community services due to being virtual. Parents report to the LCT that their children with mental health and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder have been unable to benefit from virtual therapy and virtual schooling.  Those who did respond well to virtual therapy and schooling have struggled to adjust to these services in person, and are refusing to attend therapy or go to school. Many youth have been hospitalized repeatedly and as a result, these youth are now in need of an out-of-home placement.  Of the 63 cases reviewed by the LCT during FY22, 89% were not placed during the reporting period.  However, some of these youth are still in the hospital either pending an acceptance for placement or have been accepted for placement and are waiting for a bed. Of the 11% placed during this reporting period, these youth had received all appropriate community-based services prior to referral to the LCT meeting, or they required a placement due to unsafe behaviors and aggression.

• Department of Juvenile Services
• Developmental Disabilities Administration
• Local Core Service Agency
• Local School System
• Local Health Department
• Local Department of Social Services
• Local Management Board
• a parent or parent advocate

a nonvoting representative of the local office of the Division of Rehabilitative Services to represent individuals who are 16 years old and older

6 new cases were referred for out-of-state placement during this period. 3 youth have not been placed or have been alternatively served in-state. Of the 3 youth that were placed, 1 youth is medically fragile, trach and ventilator dependent, for whom no in-state medical placements will accept; for another youth, this is a second out-of-state placement due to numerous suicide attempts; and the 3^rd youth who is diagnosed with Autism was previously placed under the Adolescent Hospital Overstay Program in-state. This youth was discharged from that program to an out-of-state facility due to level of need.