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SAMHSA News Room
Contact Media Services: (240) 276-2130

SAMHSA News Bulletin

Date: 5/9/2007
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130

New Tool Created To Help Families In The Child Welfare System

Screening and Assessment for Family Engagement, Retention, and Recovery (SAFERR), a new guidebook designed to help staff of public and private agencies respond to families in the child welfare system who are affected by substance use disorders, is  now available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

 SAFERR is based on the premise that when parents misuse substances and mistreat their children, the best way to make sound decisions is to draw from the resources of  three key systems:  child welfare, alcohol and drugs and the courts.

 The SAFERR model will help staff:

  • Create and guide collaborative teams who can improve services to families by sharing information and coordinating services;
  • Support the work of those teams by developing clear expectations regarding mission, authority and accountability;
  • Identify and address state-level policies that may block efficient practice;
  • Select screening and assessment tools and strategies that can be incorporated into daily practice;
  • Support and oversee the implementation of improved practices at the local level; and 
  • Monitor and evaluate successes and problems.

 SAFERR is available on the Web at http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17633. Copies may be obtained free of charge from the SAMHSA Health Information Network (SHIN) at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727). Request inventory number SMA-07-4261. For related publications and information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.


Page Last Updated: 5/9/2007