Online Tutorials
Tutorials for Child Welfare Professionals
Approximately 8.3 million children live with one or more adult who is dependent on alcohol or needs treatment for illicit drug abuse (USDHHS, 2009). Although most families with parental substance use do not come to the attention of child welfare, for those families that do, effective treatment can be critical. When parents have substance use disorders, the risk of child abuse and neglect increases, and 60–80% of substantiated abuse and neglect cases involve substance use by a custodial parent or guardian (Young, et al, 2007).
Child welfare professionals should have a basic knowledge of substance use disorders and their impact on the family, as a framework for collaborating across the other systems needed to improve the outcomes for these families. This tutorial provides child welfare professionals with knowledge of alcohol and drug addiction and its impact on parenting; engagement strategies and the treatment and recovery process for families affected by substance use disorders; services needed by children whose parents have substance use disorders; and methods of improving collaboration among substance abuse treatment, child welfare and court systems. In 2015, this course was enhanced and updated with new content and the latest research.
How to Use This Course
This course is divided into five modules. We recommend beginning with Module One and working through Module Five because each module builds on the previous one. After passing the knowledge assessment at the end of the course, you will be able to print a certificate of completion. This certificate can be submitted to NASW, the National Association of Social Workers, for 4.5 Continuing Education Contact Hours.
NCSACW developed Disproportionalities and Disparities in Child Welfare: A Supplement to Understanding Substance Use Disorder, Treatment, and Family Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Professionals (PDF 1.4 MB) as a companion resource to this online tutorial. The purpose of this resource is to serve as a guide for child welfare supervisors and staff to: 1) initiate discussions to understand the link between disproportionalities, disparities, and the child welfare system; 2) recognize disproportionalities and disparities when working with families affected by SUD; and 3) implement strategies to increase engagement with families and reduce inequities.
Acknowledgments
This course is supported by contract number 75S20422C00001 from the Children’s Bureau (CB), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), co-funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The views, opinions, and content of this course are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of ACF, SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Accreditation Information
This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval #886516546-3591) for four and a half (4.5) continuing education contact hours.