The percentage of children removed from their homes who had parental alcohol or other drug use as a condition of their removal has increased over 20% in the past decade, from 18.5% in 2010 to 42.0% in 2021. Increased use and overdose due to opioids and other substances has led to both real and perceived safety concerns. Action on these concerns has taxed the child welfare system with higher and more complicated caseloads. Despite the existence of policies and programs aimed at enhancing the safety and wellbeing of children vulnerable to neglect or abuse—including Title IV-B, the Family First Prevention Services Act, and Plans of Safe Care under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act—significant gaps persist in identifying and addressing substance misuse among families at risk or already engaged with the child welfare system. Specifically, a critical lack of awareness regarding available options for addressing parental substance misuse, coupled with the need for more research on promising intervention strategies, continues to put too many families at risk of child removal.

This briefing will present research on best practices and effective programs for supporting families impacted by substance use and substance use disorders with the goal of family preservation.

Agenda

Opening Remarks

Elizabeth Day, PhD
University of Oregon

PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)

System Overview: Touchpoints and Opportunities for Action

Colleen Janczewski, PhD, MSW
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)

Best Practices for Supporting Families to Prevent Child Welfare Intervention

Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM
Friends Research Institute

PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)

Effective Services and Programs for Children and Their Families

Emily Bosk, PhD, LMSW
Rutgers University

PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)

Discussion and Q&A