Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Purpose and Overview 2 - The Nature of Substance Use Disorders 3 - How Parental Substance Use Disorders Affect Children 4 - In Home Examination, Screening and Assessment… 5 - Treating Substance Use Disorders 6 - The Role of Child Protective Services… 7 - Child Protective Services and Substance Use Disorder… 8 - Putting It Together: Making the Systems Work for Families Endnotes Appendix A - Glossary of Terms Appendix B - Resource Listings of Selected National Organizations Appendix C - State Telephone Numbers… Appendix D - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual… Appendix E - Commonly Abused Substances Appendix F - Commonly Used Screening Instruments Appendix G - State of Connecticut Department of Children… Appendix H - Memorandums of Understanding Appendix I - Confidentiality and the Release of Substance… Appendix J - Sample Qualified Service Organization Agreement…

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Appendix H
Memorandums of Understanding¹

• What is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?
• Why is it important to have an MOU?
• What is actually included in an MOU?
• How do we know our community is ready to develop an MOU?
• What strategies should we undertake as we begin the MOU process?
• What are the problems that might arise during the MOU process?
• How do we know our community is ready to develop an MOU?

What is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

An MOU is a written agreement that serves to clarify relationships and responsibilities between two or more organizations that share services, clients, and resources.

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Why is it important to have an MOU?

MOUs help strengthen community partnerships by delineating clear roles between individuals, agencies, and other groups. Communities with MOUs report that the strengthened partnerships resulted in enhanced services for children and families.

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What is actually included in an MOU?

Generally, MOUs can address a variety of issues and topics. Content areas to consider including in an MOU are:

• Clarification of agency roles;



• Referrals across agencies;



• Assessment protocols;



• Parameters of confidentiality;



• Case management intervention;



• Interagency training of staff;



• Agency liaison and coordination;



• Process for resolving interagency conflicts;



• Periodic review of the MOU.

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How do we know our community is ready to develop an MOU?

Communities that are concerned about reducing the incidence of child maltreatment are excellent candidates for creating an MOU. In communities that are experiencing strained relationships between potential partners, the process of writing an MOU provides a unique opportunity to address misperceptions and differences and to work jointly to resolve gaps in service delivery.

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What strategies should we undertake as we begin the MOU process?

Depending on existing relationships within communities, one strategy may include inviting key supporters to meetings to explore the feasibility of MOU development. Communities have reported that once they had the commitment and investment from the various agencies, the MOU process quickly crystallized and resulted in a written MOU. An additional strategy may include inviting an outside consultant to facilitate a partnership that leads to the development of an MOU.

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What are the problems that might arise during the MOU process?

Problems may arise concerning misperceptions about each other's goals, missions, and philosophy. Professionals from child welfare agencies report that the MOU meetings helped them understand each other's language and history and provided a context in which to view other philosophies and missions. Additional problematic issues may include confidentiality policies, assessment decisions, levels of intervention, and out-of-home placement for children. The MOU provides an opportunity to address these critical issues to meet the needs of the community.

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How does the MOU actually help families and children?

Families affected by child maltreatment report that they are reluctant to request assistance, are required to participate in services that do not address the underlying issues, and frequently feel misunderstood by professionals. Communities with existing MOUs have reported that children who are maltreated were less likely to be placed in out-of-home settings and that families were more motivated to work with professionals to reduce the risk of future child abuse and neglect. Families in communities where MOUs have been established reported a higher level of satisfaction in working with professionals.

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¹ Bragg, H. L. (2003). Child protection in families experiencing domestic violence [On-line]. Available: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/domesticviolence/. Back

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Purpose and Overview 2 - The Nature of Substance Use Disorders 3 - How Parental Substance Use Disorders Affect Children 4 - In Home Examination, Screening and Assessment… 5 - Treating Substance Use Disorders 6 - The Role of Child Protective Services… 7 - Child Protective Services and Substance Use Disorder… 8 - Putting It Together: Making the Systems Work for Families Endnotes Appendix A - Glossary of Terms Appendix B - Resource Listings of Selected National Organizations Appendix C - State Telephone Numbers… Appendix D - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual… Appendix E - Commonly Abused Substances Appendix F - Commonly Used Screening Instruments Appendix G - State of Connecticut Department of Children… Appendix H - Memorandums of Understanding Appendix I - Confidentiality and the Release of Substance… Appendix J - Sample Qualified Service Organization Agreement…

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