0555b664__Alcohol_and_Other_Drug_Issues__Program_Improvement_Plan__PIP_
[State] Puerto Rico Of the 42 cases reviewed, the primary reason for opening a child welfare agency case included substance abuse by parent in 1 case (2%). Among all reasons identified for children coming to the attention of the child welfare agency, substance abuse by parents was cited in 10 (24%) cases. Services provided to the families included, but were not limited to, individual counseling or therapy, post-reunification services, supervised visitation, parent education, child care, mental health evaluations and services, substance abuse evaluations and treatment, medical treatment, medical insurance, transportation, employment assistance, housing assistance, and financial support. The CFSR determined that there are many critical services that are not available to children and families and the scarcity of these services is a barrier to achieving children�s permanency goals in a timely manner.� Stakeholders expressed concern about the lack of mental health evaluation and treatment services, housing, transportation, respite care, sexual abuse treatment services, therapeutic foster homes, substance abuse treatment services, and domestic violence treatment services.� The CFSR also found that some critical services are not available in rural areas of the Commonwealth and, in communities where services are available, there often are long waiting lists to access the services. Some stakeholders expressed concerns about the effectiveness and/or accessibility of services necessary to ensure children�s safety in the home.� Stakeholders identified mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, and housing as critical services that are not readily available or accessible to families. Most stakeholders commenting on the issue of foster care re-entries during the onsite CFSR expressed the opinion that re-entry into foster care does not happen often.� However, some stakeholders suggested that when re-entry does occur, it may be the result of the parent�s relapse into substance abuse or to a lack of follow-up services after reunification. Some stakeholders commenting on Reunification, Guardianship or Permanent Placement with Relatives expressed the opinion that the agency is effective in reunifying children with their families in a timely manner, particularly when assessments are comprehensive and there is adequate housing for the family.� In contrast, other stakeholders noted that reunifications are not consistently occurring on a timely basis and that barriers to timely reunification include a scarcity of adequate housing and a lack of services, particularly substance abuse treatment and mental health evaluation and treatment services.� Stakeholders suggested that inadequate access to services often results in reunification efforts being extended for long periods of time to ensure that parents have the opportunity to access services.� However, several stakeholders reported that because the agency usually is reluctant to seek termination of parental rights, reunification efforts often are continued even when the prognosis for reunification is very low. According to the Statewide Assessment, the vast majority of children in foster care in Puerto Rico have reunification or placement with relative as their permanency goal.� The Statewide Assessment also notes that the primary barrier to reunification or placement with relatives is the lack of substance abuse treatment and mental health services for parents and children. Most stakeholders expressed the opinion that ADFAN is effective in meeting the children and families� immediate needs, but that the scarcity of resources prevents the agency from providing comprehensive services such as assessment and treatment for mental health and substance abuse.� Stakeholders also noted that high caseloads are a significant barrier to caseworkers� ability to meet service needs of children, parents, and foster parents. According to the Statewide Assessment, ADFAN is committed to monitoring the effectiveness of services provided to children to address their mental health needs (i.e., grief, loss, the impact of previous trauma associated with abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and/or domestic violence). The Statewide Assessment notes that ADFAN caseworkers and judges �struggle� over the issue of substance abuse treatment and how long a period of time is necessary to allow for rehabilitation before seeking TPR. Stakeholders expressed concern about the lack of mental health evaluation and treatment services, housing, transportation, respite care, sexual abuse treatment services, therapeutic foster homes, substance abuse treatment services, and domestic violence treatment services.� Stakeholders also noted that many of the services that are available are of questionable quality.� Several stakeholders suggested that the lack of services is a significant concern to judges in making decisions regarding seeking TPR. Stakeholders expressed concern about the lack of mental health evaluation and treatment services, housing, transportation, respite care, sexual abuse treatment services, therapeutic foster homes, substance abuse treatment services, and domestic violence treatment services.� The CFSR also found that some critical services are not available in rural areas of the Commonwealth and, in communities where services are available, there often are long waiting lists to access the services.
Enhance the variety of services matrix and negotiate with ASFA Multisectorial Board the provision of services such as treatment for substance use and abuse. ADFAN Administration has strengthened policies and practices to expand collaborative agreements with higher education institutions and schools of social work in Puerto Rico to provide a formal course on safety and risk evaluation, (particularly on substance abuse cases), domestic violence and children�s safety.
A Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)