Center Assists People with Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Issues

The dilemma for service providers posed by the intersection of parental substance abuse with child neglect and maltreatment is one of the most difficult to resolve.

In response, SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) joined with the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau, of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families to launch the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare in 2002.

The National Center's goal is to improve outcomes for children and families affected by substance use disorders and child abuse or neglect. It is staffed through a California-based organization called Children and Family Futures and supported by a consortium of national associations and organizations involved in child welfare and substance abuse issues. The National Center shares its expertise and knowledge with communities, policymakers, and other professionals. Its strategies are focused on promoting collaboration between the substance abuse treatment system, child welfare system, and dependency courts to improve practices and policies.

The National Center's Web site offers training materials, presentations, and professional literature on related topics including substance abuse treatment issues, children's services, and dependency courts with jurisdiction in cases of child abuse and neglect.

The first in a series of online tutorials and trainings, "Understanding Child Welfare and the Dependency Court: A Guide for Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals" provides training in child welfare and dependency court procedures and is available on SAMHSA's Web site. Other tutorials geared to child welfare service providers, judicial officers, and legislators will be available in 2005.

The National Center also offers in-depth technical assistance to states and territories. This work is building closer collaboration among substance abuse, child welfare, and court systems in Colorado, Michigan, Florida, and Virginia.

For more information about the National Center for Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, visit www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov, call (714) 505-3525, or e-mail ncsacw@samhsa.hhs.gov.

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