Recorded presentation

Laura F. Radel, MPP, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, US Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 450-G, Washington, DC 20201, 202-690-5938, laura.radel@hhs.gov

An estimated six million children now live with substance abusing parents. Parental substance abuse adversely affects the safety, health, future education, criminality and employability of these children in innumerable ways. In recent studies, child welfare caseworkers report that three-quarters of parents with children in foster care for a year have serious substance abuse problems that have been inadequately addressed, despite the fact that effective treatment of parental substance abuse is key to child safety, and custody concerns can strongly motivate parental treatment involvement. Research shows complex relationships between successful completion of substance abuse treatment and child welfare outcomes such as family reunification. However, the relationships between child welfare and substance abuse treatment providers have historically been weak or openly hostile. This presentation gives an overview of the child welfare system and the ways in which parental substance abuse problems are typically perceived by and ineffectively addressed within the child welfare context. The implications of the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act’s new, shorter permanency planning times for child welfare professionals are also explored. It further outlines the need to increase research and policy focus on the relationship between child welfare and substance abuse treatment systems, and the key role of collaboration and improved working relationships between treatment providers, child welfare professionals, and Court personnel in producing better outcomes. In addition, both systems, and the Family Courts, must measure success in terms recognized by partner agencies so that accountability is shared for the range of outcomes sought.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

(
• understand the extent of and reasons for substantial overlap between the client populations of child welfare and substance abuse treatment agencies; (
• understand the key institutional and legal features of child welfare agencies that influence their work with clients who have substance abuse disorders; and (
• understand how improved working relationships between child welfare and substance abuse treatment agencies may benefit both clients and service providers

Keywords: Substance Abuse,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation