Search results for ‘Subject term:"foetal alcohol syndrome"’ Sort:
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Children prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs: what the literature tells us about child welfare information sources, policies, and practices to identify and care for children
- Authors:
- RICHARDS Tammy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Child Welfare, 16(1), 2022, pp.71-94.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Many parents who interact with the child welfare system present with substance use issues, which means their children are at risk for prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. Because child welfare agencies play an important role in identifying and providing services to mitigate negative impacts of prenatal exposures, we conducted a search for literature addressing child welfare information sources, policies, and practices related to this population. The search yielded 16 research/evaluation and 16 policy/practice papers, with most addressing exposures to both alcohol and other drugs. The literature most commonly reports that children identified as exposed are referred to child protection agencies during the newborn period. This practice may lead to underidentification, especially of children with prenatal exposure to alcohol. Research suggests that this population is at risk for poorer child welfare outcomes and that there are specific service needs for these children. This review indicates that there is an overall lack of research literature regarding identification of prenatally exposed children involved in the child welfare system that could best inform child welfare policies and practices. Studies investigating how the child welfare system identifies and cares for children with prenatal exposures are needed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Factors contributing to level and type of child welfare involvement following prenatal substance exposure: a scoping review
- Authors:
- PEDDIREDDY Snigdha R., AUSTIN Anna E., GOTTFREDSON Nisha C.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 125, 2022, p.105484.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Background: An understanding of factors contributing to variation in child welfare outcomes in cases of prenatal substance exposure (PSE) can help identify gaps in research and practice and guide state and agency policy. Objective: To summarize the evidence base and identify critical gaps in the literature, the researchers conducted a scoping review regarding individual- and institutional-level factors associated with child welfare decision-marking across the service continuum and caregivers' perceptions of child welfare involvement in cases of PSE. Participants and setting: The sample included peer-reviewed studies based in the United States. Methods: conducted a comprehensive search of four databases for studies investigating 1) sociodemographic, behavioural, policy, or other factors contributing to variation in child welfare outcomes and 2) maternal, family, or provider perceptions of the child welfare process in cases of PSE. This study followed an established methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews. Results: Of the 23 articles included in the review, 20 explored variation in decision-making across the child welfare services continuum and three examined caregivers' perceptions of child welfare involvement. At the institutional level, provider characteristics, such as agency capacity, were linked to specific child welfare outcomes including reports and removals. At the individual level, factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and substance type were also associated with outcomes across the service continuum. Conclusions: Child welfare agencies use an unsystematic approach in addressing PSE, contributing to a variation in child welfare outcomes and potentially allowing for bias. This review highlights a need for increased resources and guidance for caseworkers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Barriers, strengths, and strategies for the post-hospital treatment of children born with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their mothers: a Delphi study
- Authors:
- LEWIS-MYERS Angela, GOINS R. Turner
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Child Welfare, 15(5), 2021, pp.652-669.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The purpose of our study was to obtain expert opinions with respect to the barriers, strengths, and strategies related to community-based services for children ages 0 to 3 years who were born with NAS and their mothers' post-hospital discharge. Participants consisted of the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Children’s Developmental Service Agency (CDSA) employees in 10 western North Carolina counties. We used a Delphi study approach with an online survey consisting of three rounds of surveys over 4 months. Information yielded from this study can be used to help guide policy-level efforts in improving long-term outcomes for children and their families. (Edited publisher abstract)
Substance abuse prevention interventions for pregnant women: a synopsis of a need for collaborative work
- Authors:
- MERRITT Racquel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21(7), October 2011, pp.858-869.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Substance abuse during pregnancy remains a prominent public health concern in the United States. The legal substance that is abused most frequently by pregnant women is alcohol, which can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). This article discusses the need for evidence-based knowledge regarding prevention strategies that can reduce FASD among pregnant women, arguing the need for continued collaborations between researchers and substance services prevention specialists. Both universal and selective methods are discussed as effective prevention strategies. Universal approaches tend to be advertising methods or campaigns which target the general population. Selective approaches are more agency- and professional-focused which target high-risk groups. The article concludes that, although both methods can be effective, the combination is often more beneficial. Future research should consider a combination of the 2 approaches to maximise the effectiveness of each prevention strategy. A committed collaborative focus between researchers and practitioners on the pregnant substance-abusing population is needed to increase and improve prevention and intervention strategies.
Supporting mother-infant dyads impacted by prenatal substance exposure
- Authors:
- DEUTSCH Stephanie Anne, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 129, 2021, p.106191.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Improving health and well-being of mothers, infants, and children represents a national public health priority, with emphasis placed on understanding how environmental and social determinants (access to quality health care, education, employment, economic opportunities, social support, and resource availability) influence maternal health behaviors and infant-child well-being. Substance use during pregnancy is a predominant maternal-infant health risk; many affected mother-infant dyads also face co-occurring psychosocial adversities, often necessitating social services-based interventions. Best practices to support infants exposed to substances across the medical, mental health, substance use, and social service sectors have historically been affected by heterogeneity of dyad needs, varied stakeholder perspectives, and limited cross-sector resource availability. Recent legislative changes designating a universal, family-centered, non-punitive, and supportive social services-based approach toward affected mother-infant dyads, known as Plans of Safe Care, offer a potential solution to comprehensively address diverse needs. This narrative review discusses current public health-based efforts and novel implementation of federally-funded family support programs, including Plans of Safe Care and Family First legislation, to address the multiple health and psychosocial adversities facing prenatally substance exposed mother-infant dyads. Opportunities for future research, including analysis of the impact of Plans of Safe Care and other policy interventions on dyad health and safety outcomes is explored. (Edited publisher abstract)
A child's first 1000 days: the impact of alcohol and other drugs
- Authors:
- HULMES Allison, GALVANI Sarah
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
A guide to support social workers who are working with parents and carers whose use of alcohol and other drugs is problematic. It focusses on a child’s first 1000 days, from conception to aged two. It highlights potential harm to children from parental alcohol and other drug and offers guidance on how to support children, parents and carers. It includes information on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Neo-natal abstinence syndrome, social work interventions and useful organisations. (Edited publisher abstract)
Implementing Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requirements to serve substance-exposed newborns: lessons from a collective case study of four program models
- Authors:
- PRICE Amy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Child Welfare, 6(2), April 2012, pp.149-171.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Prenatal substance exposure has been linked to various conditions including cognitive defects, behaviour problems, and neurological problems. To address the needs of these children, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 2003 requires states to develop procedures to notify child protective services of newborns prenatally exposed to illegal substances and develop plans of safe care. In 2005 the Administration for Children and Families awarded grants to 4 programmes to develop models for implementing these CAPTA requirements. This article presents a collective case study of the 4 programme models, with the purpose of sharing lessons learned and providing recommendations for other communities based on their combined experience. Although the programmes were quite varied and were hosted by different types of agencies (medical centre, university, government agency), they converged on similar approaches in meeting 3 key challenges: collaborating across agencies; developing effective protocols for identifying exposed newborns; and engaging families in services. The lessons learned in meeting these challenges and recommendations for other agencies working to implement the CAPTA requirements are provided.
Parenting a child affected by parental substance misuse
- Authors:
- FORRESTER Donald, BAKER Sally, HARTLYE Jane
- Publisher:
- British Association for Adoption and Fostering
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 100p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This book is aimed at those caring for, or planning to care for, a child affected by parental alcohol or drug problems and the professionals supporting them. Finding reliable information in order to understand what lies behind the diagnoses and "labels" that many looked after children bring with them can be difficult. This book is part of the Parenting Matters series designed to address these concerns. It provides expert knowledge, coupled with facts, figures and guidance presented in a straightforward and accessible style. While pragmatic in its approach the book is based on research evidence and key points and the implications of the findings are highlighted in boxes illustrating the practical issues arising from research. The book begins by exploring general issues around substance misuse and children entering care as well as the impact on children of exposure to substances during pregnancy, including both specific effects (such as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome) and wider issues (such as genetic susceptibilities). The second section of the book comprises two first hand accounts from adoptive parents of children whose mothers misused drugs or alcohol. They describe the challenges of these atypical adoptions but they also demonstrate the rewards for the child and the family.