The Impact of Parental Alcohol or Drug Removals on Foster Care Placement Experiences: A Matched Comparison Group Study

Abstract

Research has established the coincidence of parental alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and child maltreatment, but few studies have examined the placement experiences and outcomes of children removed due to parental AOD use. The present study examines the demographic characteristics and placement experiences of a sample of children removed from their homes as a result of parental AOD use (n=1,333), first in comparison to the remaining sample of children in foster care (n=4554), then to a matched comparison group of children in foster care who were removed for other reasons (n=1333). Relative to the comparison sample, children removed for parental AOD use are less likely to experience co-occurring removal due to neglect and physical or sexual abuse, and are more likely to be placed in relative foster care. In addition, these children remain in care longer, experience similar rates of reunification, and have significantly higher rates of adoption.

“It's hard enough to deal with all the abuse issues”: Child welfare workers' experiences with intimate partner violence on their caseloads

“…Parental substance abuse has been identified as a primary contributor to child maltreatment (Dong et al, 2004) and has been indicated or suspected in more than two-thirds of all substantiated cases (Jones, 2005). Children of parents who abuse substances are much more likely to be placed in foster care (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999;Young, Boles, & Otero, 2007) and are in out-of-home placements longer than youth removed for other reasons (Vanderploeg et al, 2007). Moreover, substance abuse often co-occurs with IPV, and has been documented in both victims (El-Bassel, Gilbert, Wu, Go, & Hill, 2005) and perpetrators (Fals-Stewart, Golden, & Schumacher, 2003).…”

Advancing Collaborative Practice Between Substance Abuse Treatment and Child Welfare Fields: What Helps and Hinders the Process?

“…Research on families in child welfare, parents in treatment, and families of substance-exposed infants suggests that a majority of families involved or at risk for involvement in the child welfare system in the United States are impacted by parental substance abuse problems (Boles, Young, Moore, & DiPirro-Beard, 2007;Carter & Myers, 2007;Connell-Carrick, 2007;Smith, Johnson, Pears, Fisher, & DeGarmo, 2007;Vanderploeg, Caron, Saunders, Katz, & Tebes, 2007;Young, Boles, & Otero, 2007). Concern over the correlation between substance abuse and child welfare, as well as growing recognition of the importance of consistency in caretaking in child development, has generated a number of policy changes on both national and state levels.…”

Engaging fathers in child protection services: A review of factors and strategies across ecological systems

“…Some research also suggests that the mother’s mental health issues may exacerbate their experience (Mezulis et al, 2004). Among child welfare cases, substance abuse is associated with higher rates of child re-victimization (Brook & McDonald, 2009; Ondersma, 2007), greater likelihood of out of-home placement (DHHS, 1997), longer stays in care (Connell et al, 2007; Vanderploeg et al, 2007), and higher rates of termination of parental rights and child adoption (Connell et al, 2007). In addition, substance use disorders (SUD) are related to fathers’ decreased involvement and to their own children developing SUDs (Kirisci et al, 2001).…”