Impact of Substance Use on the Child Welfare System

Many families receiving child welfare services are affected by parental substance use. Parental substance use disorders affect children and youth in numerous ways. Substance use disorders are risk factors for subsequent maltreatment and neglect, as they may affect a parent’s ability to function as a caregiver and provide for their children's basic needs, such as safety, security, and permanency. For these reasons, it is essential that child welfare professionals understand the intersection of child welfare and substance use disorders in order to effectively assess and intervene in families affected by substance use. Below, find resources detailing the connection between child maltreatment and parental substance use disorders.

Child Welfare and Alcohol & Drug Use Statistics
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
Presents national data summarizing how parental substance use has affected the child welfare system over the last several decades.

How Many Families in Child Welfare Services Are Affected by Parental Substance Use Disorders? A Common Question That Remains Unanswered
Seay (2016)
Child Welfare, 94
Discusses how prevalence rates of parental substance use in the child welfare system vary based on the type of child welfare involvement and method of data collection. 

Parental Substance Use as Child Abuse
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 540KB)
Year Published 2020
Discusses laws and policies that address the issue of substance use by parents. One major area of concern is responding to the care and treatment needs of substance-exposed infants. Another major concern is addressing the harm that a child of any age can suffer when a parent's use of alcohol or other substances leads to neglect of the child or the child is exposed to illegal drug activity. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories are included.
Parental Substance Use and the Child Welfare System
Series Title Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 413KB)
Year Published 2014
Provides child welfare workers and related professionals with information on the intersection between substance use disorders and child maltreatment and describes strategies for prevention, intervention, and treatment, including examples of effective programs and practices. The bulletin also discusses the impact of parental substance use on children, child welfare laws related to parental substance use, service delivery challenges, systems change and collaboration, and innovative prevention and treatment approaches.

The Relationship Between Substance Use Indicators and Child Welfare Caseloads (PDF - 390 KB)
Ghertner, Baldwin, Crouse, Radel, & Waters (2018)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation 
Discusses the intrinsic relationship between substance use prevalence and child welfare cases, as both have continually risen in recent years.

Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Resources
National Conference of State Legislatures (2019)
Includes 50-State data and policy compilations, news stories, statewide initiatives and local programs, and links to national organizations that provide information about the current opioid crisis.  

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