Child Welfare Journal of Policy, Practice, and Program: Special Issue on Serving Children, Youth, and Families with Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Problems in Child Welfare: Child Welfare League of America, Vol. LXXX #2, March/April 2001

Brings together a collection of articles that raises public awareness about the complex policy dilemmas that chemically-affected families pose to health and human service agencies and examines innovative systemic and therapeutic approaches to working with substance-abusing families involved with the child welfare system. Copies may be ordered by calling the Child Welfare League of America at 202/ 638-2952.

Linking Child Welfare and Substance Abuse Treatment: A Guide for Legislators. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, August 2000.

Provides an overview of the problem of substance abuse in the child welfare system, strategies to address it, and a description of the public substance abuse treatment system. The appendices contain brief descriptions of noteworthy state and local initiatives. Copies may be ordered by calling the National Conferences of State Legislatures at 303/830-2200.

Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground: A Report to Congress on Substance Abuse and Child Protection. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. April 1999.

Required by Congress in the Adoption and Safe Families Act, this report addresses 1) the extent and scope of the problem of substance abuse in the child welfare system, 2) the types of services provided to this population, 3) the effectiveness of these services, and 4) recommendations for changes needed to improve service coordination. The report is available on-line by calling the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information at 800/FYI-3366.

No Safe Haven: Children of Substance-Abusing Parents. New York: National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. January 1999.

Illustrates the impact substance abuse has had on the child welfare system and its failed ability to respond. Calls for an emphasis on prevention, new training and protocols for child welfare, court and other professionals, increased funding for comprehensive treatment, and greater attention to evaluating outcomes. The report is available on-line at http://www.casacolumbia.org and may also be ordered by calling CASA at 212/841-5227.

Healing the Whole Family: A Look at Family Care Programs. Washington, DC: Children's Defense Fund. 1998.

Profiles 50 residential treatment programs from across the country which provide comprehensive services to mothers and children. The report focuses on the importance of family care and describes the unique characteristics that make it work for children and families in crisis. The Executive Summary is available on-line at http://www.childrendefense.org. Copies may be ordered by calling CDF Publications at 202/662-3652.

Responding to Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in Child Welfare: Weaving Together Practice and Policy. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America. 1998.

Sets forth a policy framework of innovative ways to address the overlapping problems of substance abuse and child abuse. The guidebook describes a number of effective models for linking child welfare services and alcohol and other drug treatment. Copies may be ordered by calling the Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse at 800/638-8736 and asking for publication #ncj171669.

Foster Care: Agencies Face Challenges Securing Stable Homes for Children of Substance Abusers. Washington, DC: U.S. General Accounting Office. September 1998.

Discusses the extent and characteristics of parental substance abuse among foster care cases and the difficulties agencies face in making timely permanency decisions for such children. Offers model initiatives to achieve timely permanency outcomes. Copies may be ordered on-line at http://www.gao.gov or by calling 202/512-6000 and asking for GAO/HEHS-98-182.