0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Alabama Among all reasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, neglect (not including medical neglect) was cited in 13 (26%) cases, substance abuse by parents was cited in 6 (12%) cases. Primary reasons for opening a child welfare agency case included substance abuse by parent in 20 cases (40%). Inter-agency coordination of services and benefits includes substance abuse programs. As noted in the Statewide Assessment, one of the frequently used compelling reasons not to terminate parental rights is based on the time required for rehabilitation in cases involving parental substance abuse or addiction. DHR offers advanced training through ACT II and current course topics are: Practical Child Protection, the ISP Process for the Family who Experiences Substance Abuse The agency also is working on developing training in the area of permanency and concurrent planning and a full- time staff person has been hired to provide substance abuse training. In regard to service availability, more aggressive treatment programs for substance abuse, especially in rural counties, and substance abuse �homes� are needed.
Ten days of technical assistance from the National Resource Center on Child Maltreatment have been requested and approved.� The National Resource Center on Child Maltreatment will provide consultation/training regarding on-going child protective service cases, particularly substance abuse cases and domestic violence as well as child safety during visitation.� The goal is to improve supervisor/social worker and consultant capacity in assessing and managing safety for children in all settings.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)