Wapello County Judge Among Speakers at Briefing on Substance Abuse, Child Welfare System

Senate Caucus on Foster Youth Briefing Series: The Impact of Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders on Children and Families Involved in the Child Welfare System
                                                    
Part Two: Preventing the Need for Foster Care

What is Working to Effectively Address Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Challenges?

The second briefing will highlight Federal, state and local strategies that are already working to promote family-well-being for children and parents affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders.  Building on lessons learned from existing federal and private investments, this session will highlight the program, practice and systemic changes needed to help families with behavior health issues.

Thursday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern
Dirksen Senate Office Building 226

SPEAKERS

Nancy K. Young, Ph.D., Executive Director, Children and Family Futures.  Dr. Young will discuss the major initiatives that the Federal government has implemented over the past decade related to substance abuse and child welfare. The results from those investments, including program strategies and outcomes from the Regional Partnership Grants of 2007 and the SAMHSA Children Affected by Methamphetamine grants, will be featured.

Iowa – Judge William Owens, Wapello County Family Drug Court Judge who has been involved since 2007 with the Iowa Regional Partnership Grant will discuss the role of Family Drug Courts in improving outcomes for child welfare families affected by substance abuse disorders. Judge Owens will highlight how each of the professionals working with child welfare-involved families have changed their practice and policies in his county leading to improved outcomes for families. 

Kentucky – Tina Willauer, MPA, Director, Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START). Originating in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the START model was implemented in Kentucky through its Regional Partnership Grant beginning in 2007. The program pairs a child welfare worker with a person in recovery from a substance abuse disorder to conduct active outreach and engagement of parents in treatment and services. Primarily focused on mothers who have given birth to an infant with prenatal substance exposure, outreach begins at the hospital and Ms. Willauer will share her nearly 20 years of experience about what works to ensure safety for infants and treatment for parents.

Foster Youth – TBD

OTHER BRIEFINGS IN OUR SERIES!
Part One: Why do Children Come Into Foster Care (COMPLETED)
The Impact of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders on Child Welfare Involvement

Part Three: Promising Solutions for the Future (COMING on MAY 5)
What Can Be Done to Meet Child and Family Substance Abuse and Mental Health Needs?

Senate Caucus on Foster Youth Co-Chairs: Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) & Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

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