Infusing substance use disorder treatment within child welfare services is an evidence-based approach to family preservation. The resources on this page highlight different strategies for providing family-centered treatment and the effect of this approach on parental completion of substance use disorder treatment programs and overall family well-being
A Qualitative Study of Exodus Graduates: Family-Focused Residential Substance Abuse Treatment as an Option for Mothers to Retain or Regain Custody and Sobriety in Los Angeles, California
Einbinder (2010)
Child Welfare, 89(4)
View Abstract
Explores a 21 long-term study on polysubstance abusing mothers describe how they successfully completed an 18-month family-focused, residential, substance abuse treatment program in southern California that helped them retain or regain custody of their children. Includes personal narratives from the mothers and policy implications for child welfare and parental substance abuse treatment are examined.
Family-Centered Treatment for Women with Substance Use Disorders—History, Key Elements and Challenges (PDF - 2,220 KB)
Werner, Young, Dennis, & Amatetti (2007)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Discusses the role of family in the context of treatment for women with substance use disorders. The companion,
Funding Family Centered-Treatment for Women (PDF - 2,045 KB)
Dennis, Young, & Gardner (2008)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Assists treatment providers and State substance abuse agencies to identify and access potential sources of funding for comprehensive family-centered treatment.
Family-Centered Treatment: Policy, Practice and Funding Innovations in Connecting Substance Abuse Treatment, Child Welfare and the Family Courts Part 1 (PDF - 3,125 KB)
Feinberg & Wener (2010)
Provides an overview of family-centered treatment, then highlights specific information on the Meta House program and the continuum of family-centered treatment.
Strong Start Wraparound: Addressing the Complex Needs of Mothers in Early Recovery
Teel (2014)
Zero to Three, 35(1)
View Abstract
Explores the Strong Start Study that tested wraparound interventions with families in early recovery from substance use. This study defines the wraparound model as it relates to protective factors and offers implications and findings based on the population studied.
Structural Ecosystems Therapy for Recovering HIV-Positive Women: Child, Mother, and Parenting Outcomes
Mitrani, McCabe, Robinson, Weiss-Laxer, & Feaster (2010)
Journal of Family Psychology, 24(6)
Presents results from a randomized trial to examine whether structural ecosystems therapy, a family intervention intended to improve medication adherence and reduce drug relapse of women diagnosed with HIV recovering from drug abuse, provided benefits for families with children.
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2007)
Provides information about family therapy for substance abuse treatment providers and offers information about substance abuse treatment to family therapists. It focuses on the stages of motivation, treatment, and recovery, and covers clinical decision-making, supervision, cultural considerations, funding, and research.
Substance Abuse Treatment Completion in Child Welfare: Does Substance Abuse Treatment Completion Matter in the Decision to Reunify Families?
Choi, Huang, & Ryan (2012)
Children and Youth Services Review, 34(9)
View Abstract
Presents an investigation on how substance use treatment completion is related to the likelihood of family reunification, using a sample of mothers with substance abuse problems and their children in public child welfare. Findings, lessons learned, and improvements to treatment services are provided to mothers in child welfare are discussed.
Substance Abuse Treatment: Gone Astray in the Service Array? [Presentation Slides] (PDF - 802 KB)
Gardner, DiPirro-Beard, & Wurscher (2010)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment & Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect
Presents information on the inclusion of substance abuse treatment services in State child welfare services. The presentation focuses on the use of data from Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to indicate a treatment gap between those needing treatment and services available. A chart is provided that highlights parental substance use as a factor in child welfare cases and case studies are presented of model programs in the Sacramento County Dependency Drug Court and the Oregon Child Welfare Alcohol and Drug Services.
Targeted Grants to Address Needs of Families Affected by Meth and Other Substance Abuse/Family and Child Treatment Services
Chasnoff (2013)
Children's Research Triangle
View Abstract
Highlights the activities and outcomes of a federally funded 5-year grant program designed to promote the permanency and stability of children and families affected by methamphetamine and other substances of abuse.