Protecting Children in Substance-Abusing Families (PN #07)

Abstract

Parental substance abuse is widely acknowledged as the primary risk factor associated with child abuse and neglect. Children from families with substance abuse conditions are more likely to remain in out-of-home placements for longer periods of time and have less chance of being reunified with their parents or being adopted. While the substance abuse treatment and child welfare systems frequently work with the same families, each system operates with different goals, legal mandates, and desired outcomes. This issue of Practice Notes will explore these issues and provide guidelines for assessing a child’s safety and well-being when parental substance abuse is occurring in the home.