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Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Membership Group
AOD abuse is a major problem facing the child welfare system. The number of abuse or neglect cases reported to Child Protective Services agencies have more than doubled since 1986, from 1.4 million to more than 2.8 million. More than one half of the children in foster care has a parent who abuses substances. Children who families do not get treatment for AOD abuse are more likely to remain in foster care longer and are more likely to reenter the child welfare system. As it is intergenerational in nature, it is essential that we explore best practices, focus on collaboration and integration of services, and support policy and research to break the link between AOD abuse and child maltreatment.
Given the correlation between AOD and child maltreatment, the Child Welfare League of America recognizes the need to address the AOD issues through innovative approaches, both traditional and non-traditional. The Behavioral Health Division of the Child Welfare League of America is excited about the formulation of an AOD Membership Group that consists of both public and private AOD services. The group's mission is to provide leadership in addressing best practices, development of policies and program models for child welfare agencies to enhance their efforts to improve the quality of life for children and their families affected by AOD issues.
Goals:
- Provide national leadership in establishing and disseminating standards of best practices for the provision of AOD services for children and their families known to the Child Welfare system;
- Increase the dialogue between AOD and child welfare providers;
- Improve outcomes of children and families served by the AOD and/or child welfare system;
- Identify and disseminate knowledge about evidence-based practices and programs in the AOD and child welfare field; and;
- Develop and lead an advocacy agenda to enact national, state, and local legislation and polices that successfully address AOD/Child Welfare issues.
Objectives:
- To increase child welfare professionals' knowledge and skills of AOD by developing effective tools of assessment and designing innovative training modules;
- To support and introduce AOD/ Child Welfare legislation that address the integration of AOD and Child Welfare services;
- To provide on-going technical assistance to the Child Welfare League membership regarding AOD and child welfare issues.
- To establish protocol for addressing confidentiality issues so that AOD and Child Welfare agencies can work collaboratively in case management and treatment planing;
- To facilitate/sponsor community-based forums to address AOD and Child Welfare issues;
- To publish an AOD/Child Welfare Handbook and/or Desk Reference;
- To identify emerging trends and successful practices in the AOD filed that will enhance services for families;
- To collaboratively develop strategies to address AOD issues that is inclusive of the consumer, community-based and culturally sensitive;
- To identify and pursue grants and other funding opportunities to address the multiple needs of families with AOD and Child Welfare issues; and
- To develop a research agenda that will he identification of best practices in addressing the integration of AOD/Child Welfare Services.
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Building Hope, Well-Being, and Recovery: AOD Membership Group Brochure
