(Credit for Photo: A new report found between 2006-2021, Pennsylvania saw a decrease of youth in congregate care placements from 58% to 33%, a marked shift with a comparable increase in kinship care placements. (Adobe Stock)

Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service

(Harrisburg, PA) For young people with serious behavioral health challenges, a new report shows Pennsylvania’s congregate-care settings may be the best option, but some challenges still exist. 75 percent of surveyed providers report that youth tried an average of 4 to 6 services before a congregate care placement. Jackie Libonate from the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services says the state has been working to reduce congregate care placements in favor of community-based settings. The report acknowledges that some youth need congregate care to learn the skills necessary to transition back to the community successfully. Libonate says the report recommends that congregate care providers receive regular funding increases to keep pace with rising costs, adopt better technology to reduce workforce burdens, and improve discharge planning. She adds that stronger involvement from family and guardians during transitions helps youth sustain the skills they developed in congregate care.