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Substance Abuse, Child Welfare, and the Courts

Collaboration between the courts and the substance abuse and child welfare systems can help improve services for children, youth, and families. Find resources to help improve collaboration between these three systems, including information on family drug courts.

• Drug courts

Framework and Policy Tools for Improving Linkages Between Alcohol and Drug Services, Child Welfare Services, and Dependency Courts (PDF - 577 KB) National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2003) Describes an assessment framework and two policy tools to assess linkages between alcohol and drug agencies, child welfare services, and dependency courts. Collaborative Capacity Instrument: Reviewing and Assessing the Status of Linkages Across Alcohol and Drug Treatment, Child Welfare Services, and Dependency Courts (PDF - 302 KB) National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2003) A self assessment tool for State or local substance abuse agencies, child welfare agencies, and dependency courts that helps determine their ability to work collaboratively.

Collaborative Values Inventory: What Do We Believe About Alcohol and Other Drugs, Services to Children and Families, and Dependency Courts? (PDF - 22 KB)
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2003)
Fifty questions designed to assist substance abuse agencies, child welfare agencies, and dependency court systems evaluate their belief systems about the values that underlie their work.

Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers Impact Statement (PDF - 34 KB)
ZERO TO THREE (2006)
Describes the project’s ability to address the co-occurrence of child maltreatment, substance abuse, domestic violence, and parental mental illness, and discusses the impact of the project on systems reforms, increased resource sharing among agencies, and new collaborative strategies.

The Impact of Parental Substance Abuse in Dependency Cases (PDF - 812 KB)
Lewis
The Judges' Page Newsletter, February, 2005
Articles in the newsletter address the incidence of parental substance abuse in dependency cases, the need for prompt family screening and assessment, and the application of reasonable efforts, requirements, and development of timely permanency plans in cases involving substance abuse.

The Impact of Traumatic Stress and Alcohol Exposure on Youth: Implications for Lawyers, Judges, and Courts (PDF - 908 KB)
Vandervort
Michigan Child Welfare Law Journal, 11(2), 2007
Explores the practical implications for representing clients in child welfare and juvenile justice cases given the impact of childhood trauma and exposure to alcohol abuse on children's functioning. The article includes strategies for communicating with and counseling youth, investigating a child's history of trauma, ensuring appropriate services are provided to the child, and more.

In-Depth Technical Assistance: Round One Final Report (PDF - 659 KB)
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2005)
Summarizes the interventions, outcomes, and lessons learned in the first round of a program designed to facilitate cross-system collaboration among professionals who work with families affected by substance use disorders who are involved in the child welfare system and the dependency court system.

Model Court Experiences Regarding "Drugs of Choice" (PDF - 812 KB)
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Judge's Page Newsletter, 2005
Responses from judges and court representatives regarding drugs of choice, impact on caseload, and the effects of addiction on children and families seen in court.

Parental Substance Abuse, Child Protection and ASFA: Implications for Policy Makers and Practitioners: Executive Summary (PDF - 90 KB)
ABA Center on Children and the Law (2005)
Explores how dependency courts are making permanency decisions for children of substance abusers under the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) and makes four policy and practice recommendations based on the results of the study.

Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence in the Child Welfare Context: Where Do You Start?
Goodmark
ABA Child Law Practice, 21(97), 2002
View Abstract
Outlines recommendations for treating battered women and their abusers to achieve goals for family preservation, including the importance of coordinating services between child welfare workers, lawyers, and family court judges.

Through the Eyes of the Child: CJI-AOD Tool Kit—Catch the Vision! 20 Recommended Practices to Help Families in the Child Protection Court System With Alcohol and Other Drug Issues (PDF - 430 KB)
Minnesota Children's Justice Initiative (2006)
Identifies 20 practices and protocols for the child welfare, substance abuse, and juvenile court systems to ensure abused and neglected children have safe, stable, permanent families by improving parental and family recovery from alcohol or other drug problems.

White Paper on Funding Comprehensive Services for Families With Substance Use Disorders in Child Welfare and Dependency Courts (PDF - 174 KB)
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2004)
Recommends strategies for integrating funding streams to better serve families with substance use disorders in child welfare and dependency courts.

Working With Substance Abuse Practitioners on Behalf of Children and Families
Elstein
ABA Child Law Practice, 19(12), 2001
View Abstract
Examines differences between the orientation of child welfare, substance abuse treatment, and court professionals, and offers suggestions and practice tips to facilitate greater cooperation and information sharing.

	Related Information Gateway Topics Systemwide: Courts

Updated on March 1, 2010