0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Michigan Among all reasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, neglect (not including medical neglect) was cited in 36 (73%) cases, substance abuse by parents was cited in 18 (37%) cases, and substance abuse by child in 1 case (2%). Primary reasons for opening a child welfare agency included substance abuse by parent in 6 cases (12%). Services to family to protect children in home and prevent removal was rated as a Strength; the services provided included, but were not limited to, drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment. According to the Statewide Assessment, a survey of workers identified the three primary barriers to reunification as poor parenting skills (68%), emotional instability (60%), and substance abuse (42%). The Statewide Assessment noted that, with a great deal of emphasis placed on Family Preservation and prevention services in Michigan, children who are removed frequently come from families with serious problems (substance abuse; domestic violence; and serious problems with attachment, bonding, and parenting).� Focus groups with staff and FCRB members identified that a lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment services affected the State�s ability to reunify children with their families.� Stakeholders suggested that substance abuse treatment services were readily available in one site, while in the other sites, there was a lack of substance abuse treatment services and there were waiting lists for services. Service needs mentioned by stakeholders include: culturally relevant services for Native Americans, domestic violence services that are not connected to substance abuse, mentoring, services to homeless/runaway youth, services to teen parents, independent living services, transportation, day care, and education services.� The Statewide Assessment notes that although parents whose children are either in foster care or at risk of placement are to be given priority for receiving substance abuse treatment services, this priority standing has not helped to reduce the waiting list for treatment. The Statewide Assessment reported that a focus group of youth aged 14 and older revealed that most youth reported receiving preventive health/hygiene, substance abuse prevention, smoking avoidance, money management and budgeting services while in school. The findings of the Statewide Assessment indicate that a Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Task Force has been convened to address this issue and a Task Force is working to implement Family drug courts.� The Tribal State Partnership, Physician�s Advisory Committee and the Substance Abuse Task Force provide ongoing vehicles to obtain customer feedback on performance, barriers, needs, opportunities and solutions.� In addition, stakeholders noted the need for ongoing training addressing substance abuse dynamics, child management, sexual abuse, children on medications, mental health issues, and court procedures.
Michigan has a Substance Abuse in Child Welfare project implemented through which they are piloting drug courts.�� The state CFS Review will enable Michigan to measure progress. During the semi-annual review, case reading will target those children who have not experienced reunification, guardianship or permanent placement with relatives within 15 months to determine if there are commonalties such as lack of appropriate services, lack of housing resources or substance abuse. Allocation of resources, for instance, the implementation of Family to Family, will be considered given the findings from the case read. To improve the current system of providing substance abuse services to clients involved in the child welfare system, an Interagency Committee with representatives from FIA, DCH, SCAO, private agencies and others met in May of 1999. A state team consisting of representatives from the original committee now works throughout the State to address the needs identified by the Interagency Committee. The team provides technical assistance to counties and tribes to encourage communication and collaboration among substance abuse treatment providers and child welfare, and training and resources to facilitate improvement of the provision of substance abuse services to child welfare clients.� Michigan�s state team is also working to enhance awareness of existing funding and to identify alternative funding options. Several counties in Michigan have developed protocols or written agreements for the purpose of improving substance abuse services to child welfare clients. Other counties are in various stages of planning and developing a Substance Abuse Child Welfare collaboration project, including the development of family drug courts in a few Michigan counties. Michigan applied for and was awarded technical assistance from the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare in August 2003. NCSACW will work with Michigan�s state team to develop a scope of work for an in-depth TA that will include working with the substance abuse, child welfare, court systems and local tribes to increase collaboration and strategic plans for working together. A kick-off meeting occurred September 11 and 12, 2003. A work plan was devised to guide the technical assistance activities until July 2004.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)