These papers detail national trends in behavioral healthcare with special focus on mental health care for children and the decreasing use of inpatient treatment.  The second article provides a more detailed discussion of the challenges and policy implications of this shift in treatment.   

Geller, J. L., & Biebe,l K. (2006). The premature demise of public child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric beds: part I: overview and current conditions. Psychiatric Quarterly, 77(3): 251-71. DOI: 10.1007/s11126-006-9012-0. http://www.springerlink.com/content/74438g661wr251rn/

Authors: Jeffery L. Geller, Kathleen Biebel