Dr. Stephen Patrick shares information about meeting the needs of infants with prenatal substance exposure and what health care for these children should include. He also discusses Firefly, a program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to reduce the toll the opioid crisis takes … Read More
Substance Abuse
Disrupting Stigma: How Understanding, Empathy, and Connection Can Improve Outcomes for Families Affected by Substance Use and Mental Disorders
Stigma specifically related to child abuse, neglect, and prenatal substance exposure affects the attitudes of healthcare and treatment professionals; child welfare and court professionals; social service agencies and workers; as well as family, friends, and most notably, the person with … Read More
Increasing Action & Awareness on Prevention of Substance Use Disorders and Positive Mental Health with Adolescents
This year the SAMHSA-sponsored initiative strives to: Get communities involved with implementing prevention strategies and showcasing effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programs Foster partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to improving public health Promote and disseminate quality … Read More
Family Treatment Courts – Strategy Briefs
Children and Family Futures (CFF), in partnership with Casey Family Programs, has developed a series of three briefs on family treatment courts (FTCs). The briefs inform professionals in child welfare, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, courts, and other key stakeholders about the … Read More
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Debunking the Myths and Misconceptions
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines MAT as “the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs).”[1] MAT for opioid use … Read More
Child Welfare Court Cases Involving Prenatal Substance Use: Policy Considerations
State supreme and appellate courts presiding over civil child protection cases often decide legal issues relating to a mother’s prenatal use of substances. As courts answer questions that arise during child welfare proceedings, they often interpret state civil child abuse … Read More