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Home > Achieving and Maintaining Permanency > Family Reunification > Reunification With Substance-Abusing Parents
Reunification With Substance-Abusing Parents
When the parent of a child in out-of-home care has been affected by substance abuse and the goal for permanency is reunification, time frames for treatment recovery become an important factor in the decision-making process. Many jurisdictions have developed specialized programs to bring child welfare, substance abuse, and court services together to support reunification. Resources include State and local examples.
Attachment and Reunification: Building Parental Skills (PDF - 144 KB)
Karfgin (2002)
Discusses attachment difficulties of children who have incarcerated mothers with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Explains necessary components of jail-based treatment programs and strategies for reunification planning, including descriptions for several promising programs.
Co-Occurring Problems for Substance-Abusing Mothers in Child Welfare: Matching Services to Improve Family Reunification
Choi & Ryan
Children and Youth Services Review, 29(11), 2007
View Abstract
This study found that matching services to mothers' needs regarding co-occurring problems, such as mental health, housing, family counseling, and substance abuse treatment, significantly improved the likelihood of reunification.
Court Strategies Under AFSA to Help Substance-Using Families Recover
Larsen
Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 51(1), 2000
View Abstract
Gives examples of two court programs that use the comprehensive services mandated in the Adoption and Safe Families Act to motivate parents to participate in substance abuse treatment when necessary for family reunification.
Family Reunification Practice With Parents Who Abuse Drugs
Maluccio & Ainsworth (2005)
In Child Welfare for the Twenty-First Century: A Handbook of Practices, Policies, and Programs
View Abstract
Discusses the incidence of children in out-of-home care who have parents that abuse drugs, highlights new service innovations that facilitate drug treatment, and presents a model of family reunification.
How Soon is too Soon? Addiction Recovery and Family Reunification
Hohman & Butt
Child Welfare, 80(1), 2001
View Abstract
Describes two models of recovery drawn from alcoholism and cocaine addiction and reviews the impact of issues encountered in recovery on parenting behaviors, particularly for women.
Indicators for Safe Family Reunification: How Professionals Differ
Karoll & Poertner
Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 30(3), 2003
Identifies similarities and differences on a variety of indicators of safe reunification among judges, child welfare caseworkers, and substance abuse counselors.
Integrated Services for Families With Multiple Problems: Obstacles to Family Reunification
Marsh, Ryan, Choi, & Testa
Children and Youth Services Review, 28(9), 2006
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Focuses on families in the child welfare system with co-occurring problems and the impact of such problems on the likelihood of reunification.
A Pilot Study of Reunification Following Drug Abuse Treatment: Recovering the Mother Role
Carlson, Matto, Smith, & Eversman
Journal of Drug Issues, 36(4), 2006
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Explores the experiences and challenges of women in recovery from drug abuse who had resumed parenting their children after child placement.
Refining the Practice of Family Reunification: "Mining" Successful Foster Care Case Records of Substance-Abusing Families
Cordero & Epstein (2005)
In Child Welfare for the Twenty-First Century: A Handbook of Practices, Policies, and Programs
View Abstract
Focuses on successful reunification practices with families affected by substance abuse.
Relapse and Recovery: Making Home Safe for Children
Elstein
ABA Child Law Practice, 20(1), 2001
View Abstract
Because relapse is recognized as part of the alcohol and drug recovery process, this article seeks to familiarize child welfare professionals with the signs of relapse and offers suggestions for relapse prevention and treatment.
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State and local examples
Celebrating Families: An Innovative Approach for Working with Substance Abusing Families (PDF - 614 KB)
Tisch, Dohse, & Sibley
The Source: Newsletter of the National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center, 14(1), 2005
Presents a new education/support group model, developed for use in the Santa Clara County, California, Family Drug Treatment Court, to help reunify families separated due to parental substance abuse accompanied by neglect, domestic violence, or abuse.
Development of the Miami-Dade County Dependency Drug Court
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2003)
View Abstract
Describes the Miami-Dade County's Dependency Drug Court, which supports family preservation and reunification through drug treatment, mental health treatment, parenting skills training, housing assistance, and employment assistance.
Effective Management of Parental Substance Abuse in Dependency Cases (PDF - 212 KB)
Milliken & Rippel (2004)
Asserts that effective case management and immediate treatment for parents with substance abuse problems can improve outcomes for children who enter the dependency system. The San Diego County Dependency Court Recovery Project is presented as a successful, cost-effective model program.
Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Child Welfare Services: Findings From the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Waiver Demonstration
Ryan, Marsh, Testa, & Louderman
Social Work Research, 30(2), 2006
View Abstract
This study found that a service integration model for substance abuse and child welfare increased parents’ use of substance abuse services and the likelihood of family reunification.
The Star Project: Accelerating Reunification and Preventing Infant Abandonment (PDF - 315 KB)
Chestnut
The Source: Newsletter of the National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center, Spring, 2001
Describes a program in San Francisco, California, designed to expedite reunification efforts for families affected by substance abuse through intensive parenting education services and the involvement of the parent in the development of the treatment plan and achievement of goals.
When Is It Safe to Return Children Home When Parental Substance Abuse Is a Concern?
Roguski
Protecting Children, 20(4), 2005
View Abstract
Reviews standards for making return-home decisions based on the practices of the Savio Direct Link Program, an intensive in-home substance abuse treatment program that serves parents and caregivers of young children in the State of Colorado.
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