0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Texas Primary reasons for opening a child welfare case included parental substance abuse by parent in 4 cases (8%). Services that are scarce in the larger communities, such as substance abuse treatment and mental health services for children, simply do not exist in smaller communities. Cases were rated as a strength in regard to preventive efforts and services provided included parenting classes, substance abuse assessment and treatment services, anger management classes, psychological assessments, assistance in accessing GED classes, housing services, counseling, and homemaking services Six cases were rated as an Area of Concern because not all of the parents' service needs were addressed (e.g., the parent was referred for parenting classes but not for substance abuse treatment, although substance abuse was clearly a problem). Many stakeholders noted barriers to maintaining children safely in their homes including a lack of services to adequately address substance abuse and mental health issues, which are prevalent problems among families receiving in-home services. The services that were most frequently offered to parents to reduce risk of harm to children were substance abuse treatment, anger management classes, and therapy. The agency did not adequately address all of the safety concerns (e.g., mother's mental health problems, domestic violence problems, and substance abuse problems) necessary to reduce the risk of harm to the children (7 cases). The agency coordinates with the alcohol and drug agency (TCADA) to identify appropriate lengths of stay and community-based aftercare services for CPS children receiving residential substance abuse treatment. For the 36 cases rated as a for services reviewers determined that there were no unmet service needs for children, mothers, fathers, and foster parents, when the provision of services was possible and appropriate. Assessments of needs included physical health assessments, mental health assessments, and substance abuse assessments. In the review there were three cases in which the mother's substance abuse issues and domestic violence problems were not addressed. Stakeholders raised several concerns about the availability of services, particularly substance abuse treatment and mental health services. All stakeholders asserted that the need for mental health services, particularly mental health services for children, is great, and that the lack of substance abuse treatment services is a major impediment to addressing family safety issues and facilitating reunification. The Statewide Assessment also noted that although FBSS contracted services (such as mental health, parenting training, drug testing and treatment, and protective day care) augment the State's services, the need for these services often exceeds funding at some point during a fiscal year, reducing the availability of services for the remainder of the year.
As a strategy to explore alternatives and possible legal remedies to the statewide practice of continuing a court case after a child has returned home without adversely impacting the safety of the child, there will be an open dialogue with judges through the Court Improvement Project on legal resolutions/discharge from care, as well as legal resolution for addressing longer-term problems such as substance abuse TCADA has agreed that adolescents who are in the conservatorship of PRS and have alcohol and/or substance abuse problems are considered to be a priority population by TCADA and their providers. Thus, adolescents who are in PRS care should be able to access inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment quickly. CPS staff may refer to a list of TCADA licensed and funded treatment for adolescents for resource information. New referral procedures allow staff to call any of the adolescent treatment providers listed to make a referral for treatment. Those TCADA facilities will then conduct assessments to determine what kind of treatment, if any, is needed. Information such as psychological evaluations, especially if a substance disorder has already been diagnosed, will be shared. The PRS/TCADA Memorandum of Understanding represents a strengthened collaboration designed to address gaps in services for treatment of substance abuse problems. Strengthening the availability of substance abuse assessment and treatment services and resources is a strategy in the PIP. Increased access of substance abuse services by CPS families will occur, as measured by input from regional CPS staff.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)