0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] New Hampshire Among all reasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, substance abuse by parent was cited in 13 cases (26%). Primary reasons for opening a child welfare agency case included substance abuse by parent in 1 case (2%). The case review findings indicate that the agency did not consistently assess underlying parental issues that posed a risk to children, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or sexual abuse, resulting in a lack of appropriate service provision. Some stakeholders feel that DCYF is not as effective as it needs to be in assessing for underlying problems in the family, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, and substance abuse. Key services that were noted to be lacking were substance abuse treatment and mental health services Reviewers determined that the agency did not assess or address existing safety issues in the home, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and the backgrounds of the people residing in the home.� Services provided to families to protect children in home and prevent removal included, but were not limited to, individual counseling or therapy, in-home family counseling, transportation for visitation, supervision during visitation, Parents Anonymous, parent aides, day care, respite care, after school care, wraparound services, developmental services, psychiatric services, medication management, anger and behavior management, substance abuse treatment and counseling, parenting education, home-health care services, housing assistance, money management services, educational services, and truancy programs. In four of the in-home cases, reviewers noted that the agency failed to assess and address underlying parental issues that posed a risk to children, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or sexual abuse, even though needs were assessed and services were provided in other areas (e.g., parenting, counseling). Statewide Assessment notes that a range of specialists are co-located with DCYF in various district offices to improve service coordination, including experts in: child development, education, domestic violence, substance abuse, and health (nurses). The most frequently cited service gaps pertained to substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and transportation to access services. Statewide Assessment identifies deficits in the service array including long waiting lists for services for children in need of mental health, a lack of dental health services for children receiving Medicaid, a shortage of foster homes in some areas, and a lack of substance abuse treatment services resulting in long waiting lists for treatment. Stakeholders most frequently cited service gaps pertaining to substance abuse treatment (for both adolescents and women with children), mental health services (families can wait 4- 6 months for a mental health evaluation), and transportation to access services. Information provided in the Statewide Assessment indicates that the array of services varies from community to community, particularly with regard to specialized programs. For example, in Portsmouth, the Permanency Plus pilot provides intensive, time-limited reunification services and in the Manchester and Nashua district offices, the Project First Step title IV-E Waiver demonstration project combines child protection and substance abuse services. According to the Statewide Assessment, focus groups noted limited funding is available for adults who require treatment for substance abuse/addiction;
Establish a Permanency Planning Team (PPT) in each district office.� Depending on the case, the PPT could include other specialists such as the domestic violence program specialist (DVPS), the licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor (LADAC), and/or Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer (JPPO). Identify by D.O. and enroll as DCYF providers the specialized services needed by children and families: substance abuse councilors, dentists and mental health professionals that include those with training to work with sex offenders.� Prioritize, identify and complete, by D.O., the Service Certification Requests for substance abuse councilors, dentists, and mental health professionals who accept medicaid.� Primary CPSW (Family Services, Permanency or Adolescent) is primary case manager and will collaborate with other specialists, not all of which are present in every D.O: Foster Care Health Program Nurse, Domestic Violence Program Specialist, Licensed Alcohol, Drug Abuse Counselors (LADAC), Mental Health Therapist CPRs will look for successful case practice and outcomes in cases where substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, or sexual abuse were factors. The Home-Based Therapist will complete (1) a treatment plan within 15 working days that includes "an assessment of the needs of each child and parents that must include identification of alcohol or substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, or other situation that may impact the child's safety.." and (2) the treatments to be implemented to meet the needs of each child and the parents.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)