This study explores the link between opioid prescription rates and child removal due to parental neglect in Florida counties from 2012-2015. Findings reveal that higher prescription rates are associated with an increase in child removals, particularly in communities with a higher concentration of white residents. These insights underscore the need for policymakers to address the broader social impacts of opioid abuse on child welfare when shaping public health strategies.
The Family Intensive Treatment (FIT) team model provides specialized, family-centered support for parents in the child welfare system dealing with substance misuse. This study shows that FIT participation reduces new allegations of child maltreatment and accelerates child permanency outcomes. Parents in the FIT program also demonstrated significant improvements in emotional and protective capacities, mental health, and daily functioning.
The purpose of the paper is to examine child characteristics and child welfare services associated with high welfare costs, defined as the top decile of child welfare costs. Results indicate that older age of child, child sexual abuse and/or neglect, and inability of parent to provide care are associated with high child welfare costs. Parental substance abuse or domestic violence in the household are less common among children with high costs. High cost children are more likely to have serious behavioral problems perhaps reflecting the severity of these problems. Residential treatment and group home placements and services were also associated with having high costs.
This study examines how implementation fidelity impacts the effectiveness of the Life Skills Training (LST) program for middle schoolers, focusing on key factors like adherence, participant responsiveness, and quality of delivery. Findings show that student outcomes in social and emotional learning (SEL) were influenced by both individual factors (such as race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status) and classroom-level engagement.
This study explores the role of children's behavioral health services in supporting child safety and family reunification in cases of parental substance misuse. Findings indicate that while parental substance misuse hinders reunification, children who received mental health services were almost three times less likely to reenter out-of-home care after reunification. These insights highlight the critical importance of mental health services for children within child welfare systems.
his study investigates distinct substance use patterns among youth involved in child welfare, identifying two main trajectories: High Stable Use and Rapid Progression. Physical abuse emerged as a key factor differentiating these groups, underscoring the need for tailored interventions that address the varied substance use patterns linked to specific adverse childhood experiences.
Our Building Capacity to Create Community Change model is designed to help organizations strengthen their ability to implement effective, community-based interventions for mental health and wellness. By focusing on five key domains—Administrative Support, Leadership, Vision and Mission, Partnership Development, and Community Engagement—this model equips organizations to foster meaningful community change.
