0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Virginia Among all reasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, substance abuse by parent was cited in 23 cases (46%). Primary reasons for opening a child welfare agency case included substance abuse by parent in 6 cases (12%). Servicesprovided to families included, but were not limited to, individual counseling or therapy, in-home therapy, home-based services, post-reunification services, safety plans, supervised visitation, mentoring, parent education, monthly case monitoring, day care, respite care, marital counseling, anger management, domestic violence services, sexual abuse evaluations and counseling, psycho-sexual support group, mental health evaluations and services, substance abuse evaluations and treatment, medical insurance, transportation, furniture, housing assistance, job development training, financial support, andeducational evaluations. As indicated in the Statewide Assessment, participants in focus groups convened as part of the State�s self-assessment process identified the following barriers to timely reunification: parental substance abuse; parental non-compliance with services; parental mental health problems; and, parent�s lack of financial resources and inadequate housing. According to the Statewide Assessment, the main barriers to providing mental health services to children in foster care are the following: there are too few providers who accept Medicaid, which results in long waits for services; medicaid reimbursable mental health services are not available statewide; and, there is a scarcity of community-based residential services for children with substance abuse and mental health treatment needs. Stakeholders identified the following areas where training was needed: identification of substance abuse; working with families in which domestic violence is a problem, particularly when children are witnesses; assessments of families and completing quality home-studies; combining policy training/refresher training with skills development; testifying in court; and, documenting TPR exceptions. Moststakeholderscommenting on the issue of service array during the onsite CFSR expressed the opinion that a wide array of services are available in Virginia to assess the strengths and needs of children and address the identified service needs. Some of the services noted as readily available were the following: domestic violence programs; substance abuse assessments (but not treatment); in-home services; therapeutic foster care; post-adoption services; Family Resource Centers; counseling services; and tutoring services. Substance abuse treatment services were noted by Stakeholders as a critical gap in the state. Focus groups convened as part of the self-assessment process identified mental health and substance abuse treatment services as examples of services that are not readily available in all locations of the State, particularly Medicaid-reimbursable services. Other services noted in the Statewide Assessment as not available in all jurisdictions are community-based residential services for children with substance abuse, mental health, or mental retardation needs; facilities for juveniles with aggressive behaviors; crisis stabilization centers; sex offender treatment facilities; transitional facilities; facilities for children with multiple disabilities; Independent Living services; therapeutic day treatment services; and family support services. In addition, the Statewide Assessment reports that many communities have waiting lists for services for children who are severely emotionally disturbed, at risk, or in need of substance abuse services. State-level stakeholders reported that in some counties there are waiting lists for dental care and substance abuse evaluation and treatment. Norfolk City stakeholders commented that there is a need for more services and placement opportunities for dually diagnosed children and services for young sex offenders, and Bedford stakeholders identified waiting lists for substance abuse treatment, dental care, child psychiatrists, transportation, and tutoring. According to the Statewide Assessment, DSS is a key partner in collaboration under the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) that oversees the family centered service delivery and community collaboration in serving children and families. This collaboration includes the following agencies: the Departments of Social Services; Education; Health; Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services; Medical Assistance Services; Juvenile Justice; and the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Collaborate with the Virginia Department of Health; the Department of Education; the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services; and the National Resource Center at Georgetown to develop initial mental health screening tools.����� Increase substance abuse services availability and accessibility for families and children throughout Virginia who are involved with the child welfare system. Evaluate the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and strategic plan developed with DMHMRSAS and the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia to improve outcomes for families affected by substance use who are involved in Virginia�s child welfare system and juvenile and domestic relation courts. Improve cross-agency policies and practices related to information sharing. Develop and implement protocols to facilitate best practices across disciplines. Implement uniform screening for parental substance abuse and child safety in families who come into contact with the child welfare system. Implement an interagency strategic plan to address information sharing, service delivery, professional development, community development, and funding and sustainability.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)