0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Iowa Among allreasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, child�s behavior/juvenile justice/substance abuse was cited in 24 cases (48%) and substance abuse by parent was cited in 24 cases (48%). Primary reasons for opening a child welfare agency case included substance abuse by parent in 6 cases (12%). Some stakeholders suggested that the primary reason for repeat maltreatment is chronic neglect, and that this is due in large part to parental substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine abuse. Several stakeholders identified methamphetamine abuse as a critical problem in the State. Services provided to families to protect children in home and to prevent removal included, but were not limited to, individual counseling, family counseling, play therapy, mental health counseling, psychiatric services, medication management, anger management, substance abuse treatment and counseling (including specialized day treatment), domestic violence services, parenting classes, in-home counseling and supervision, parental monitoring, individual skill building, home-skill development, casework management, day care, housing and utility assistance, educational services, and alternative schooling. Most stakeholders indicated that there is a large array of preventive and home-based services available to prevent children�s removal from their homes or re-entry into foster care after reunification. Some stakeholders expressed concern, however, about the scarcity of substance abuse treatment services for parents and of services to support relative caregivers. Stakeholders in all counties indicated that recent budget cuts will further impact DHS� ability to provide services, particularly home-based services, to families. Several stakeholders in Woodbury county expressed concern that attainment of permanency in that county often involved terminating parental rights �too quickly,� particularly for Native American children and children whose parents are substance abusers. Stakeholders reported that the lack of substance abuse treatment facilities� results in long waiting lists for services. Parents can sometimes get caught up in that waiting list while the �ASFA clock is still ticking.� In one case reviewed, foster care re-entry was due to the parent�s relapse into substance abuse; some stakeholders attributed re-entries into foster care to the parents� relapse of substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine use. Stakeholders identified mental health services gaps with regard to psychiatric services, substance abuse treatment, and mental health assessments for children in foster care. New child protective caseworkers attend a 5-day basic training; which is followed by two �intermediate� training courses that are expected to be completed within 18 months of employment but no later than the end of the second year of employment. The intermediate courses address the application of legal and medical issues to child protective assessments (3 days), and the impact of domestic violence and substance abuse on child abuse assessments (2 days). Stakeholders noted that urban areas have more services and higher quality services than can be found in rural areas, particularly with regard to substance abuse treatment and mental health services. DHS is routinely involved in partnerships at both the State and local levels with other State agencies and Statewide entities that serve the same general population of children and families in order to most effectively coordinate service development, delivery, and program monitoring. This includes partnership with the Department of Public Health, including its Division of Substance Abuse. Stakeholders noted that there is a considerable communication barrier among child welfare, substance abuse treatment, and mental health.� A family could be involved with all three agencies and �no one would know that.��
Negotiate state level Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education and Department of Public Health to address service needs [i.e. education, mental health, substance abuse, medical, public and private service providers, etc.]. The Department of Public Health will also formalize their partnership with the CW/JJ system around substance abuse and other public health issues through the negotiation of MOAs at both the State and the service area levels.� Establish expertise in substance abuse to respond to Meth abuse effecting children in Iowa through Meth Specialist Training individualized for their service areas. Specialists will be provided with Substance Abuse training in partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health. NCSACW as a resource for substance abuse [Meth] cross training. Establish specialized substance abuse positions, Meth Specialists, for each judicial district to provide direct service in reduced caseloads, consultation, and training to front-line workers. Provide statewide ICN [interactive video conferencing] and CIDS [phone conferencing] training by the authors to staff regarding: Using Guidelines in Daily Practice, Using Guidelines as a Supervisory Tool, Using Guidelines in Substance Abuse Cases [focus on meth abuse] Establish a performance standard and indicator for the cases in which both physical and mental health needs (including substance abuse) are appropriately assessed (annual physical exam and regular EPSDT screenings) and service provided to meet needs.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)