0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Maryland Among all reasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, substance abuse by parents was cited in 15 (31%) cases. Of the 50 cases reviewed, substance abuse by parent was cited as the primary reason for opening a child welfare agency case in 9 cases (18%) The State did not achieve substantial conformity with the systemic factor of Service Array. The CFSR determined that the State has critical gaps in its service array, particularly in the areas of mental health services and substance abuse treatment, and has insufficient bilingual services.� In addition, services are not consistently accessible to children and families on a statewide basis. The Statewide Assessment reports that urban communities have a wider array of services than rural communities, but that even in urban communities there are significant service gaps, particularly with regard to dental and mental health services. Services provided to the families included, but were not limited to, the following: medical services, intensive family preservation services, parenting education, housekeeping services, assistance in obtaining medical insurance, child care assistance, mental health assessment and treatment, medications, housing assistance, drug and alcohol treatment and assessment, individual and family counseling or therapy, credit counseling, crisis counseling, concrete supports (helping families with utility bills, beds, children�s clothing, and other living expenses), and ongoing monitoring by the child welfare agency caseworker. Several stakeholders voiced concern that DHR often does not address the underlying issues in the family that contribute to maltreatment, such as substance abuse and domestic violence. The Statewide Assessment identified the Drug Exposed Infant Program as a service provided to families to prevent children�s removal from their homes. This program provides an appropriate level of substance abuse treatment to mothers who have a positive toxicology for heroin, crack and/or cocaine upon admission to a hospital, or at the birth of a child with a positive toxicology. Stakeholders noted that foster care re-entry usually is due to substance abuse relapse or to mental health concerns of parents that are not adequately addressed. Stakeholders said that parents cannot get substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, or services for developmental disabilities and that, even when these services are available, the treatment often requires more time than is allowed by the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Stakeholders noted that assessments often do not capture the family�s underlying problems, particularly mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence issues. These stakeholders also reported that there are not enough mental health and substance abuse treatment services to meet the needs of families. Services identified as not generally available for children and families were bilingual services, mental health services, services for children who are leaving residential facilities, substance abuse services, and services to address the needs of youths, particularly youth who are co-committed to DHR and Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). The Statewide assessment reports that the State is pursuing community partnerships to develop an umbrella of comprehensive services for transitioning youth. Services will include educational/vocational assessment, life skills training, mentoring services, mental health services, medical care, substance abuse treatment, and housing service and employment services. Most stakeholders commenting on service array during expressed the opinion that services are available to address some needs of children and families. For example, stakeholders noted that the Independent Living (IL) and Transitional Living Programs provide many services to youth and programs such as Drug Courts, Family Crisis Centers, and Family Preservation that are effective resource for families. However, there was agreement among stakeholders that there are significant service gaps in the State, particularly with regard to mental health services; fosters homes for youth and special needs children; substance abuse treatment services; and bilingual services for Hispanic, Asian, and African families. Stakeholders reported that services are needed for children discharged from residential care facilities to assist them in transitioning to a less-restrictive form of care.
Develop a comprehensive, family-centered, neighborhood-based assessment and case planning process that is used throughout the life of the case. DHR will revise assessment tools to include mental health and substance abuse history. MD Wraparound Services Initiative. Children and adolescents in the custody of DJS or DHR who have been diagnosed with a primary mental health diagnosis of substance abuse have been identified as a priority population. The Department has contracted with the University of Maryland School of Social Work to provide required initial and in-service training to caseworkers and supervisors in clinical skills as well as administrative areas. University of MD School of Social Work will be able to provide 1 day on Double Abuse: Addiction and Child Maltreatment, 2 days on Drugs of Abuse and Their Effects, 2 days on Understanding Alcoholism, 1 day on Substance Abuse & Aging and 2 days on Substance Abusers and Their Families.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)