services used by perinatal substance-users with child welfare involvement a descriptive study和儿童福利服务使用的围产期药物依赖者参与一个描述性的研究.pdf

McCann et al. Harm Reduction Journal 2010, 7:19 /content/7/1/19 RESEARCH Open Access Services used by perinatal substance-users with child welfare involvement: a descriptive study Kenneth J McCann1†, Jean E Twomey2,3*†, Donna Caldwell4†, Rosemary Soave2†, Lynne Andreozzi Fontaine2,5†, Barry M Lester2,3† Abstract Background: Substance use during pregnancy often leads to involvement in the child welfare system, resulting in multiple social service systems and service providers working with families to achieve successful child welfare outcomes. The Vulnerable Infants Program of Rhode Island (VIP-RI) is a care coordination program developed to work with perinatal substance-users to optimize opportunities for reunification and promote permanency for substance-exposed infants. This paper describes services used by VIP-RI participants and child welfare outcomes. Methods: Data collected during the first four years of VIP-RI were used to identify characteristics of program participants, services received, and child welfare outcomes: closed child welfare cases, reunification with biological mothers and identified infant permanent placements. Descriptive Results: Medical and financial services were associated with positive child welfare outcomes. Medical services included family planning, pre- and post-natal care and HIV test counseling. Financial services included assistance with obtaining entitlement benefits and receiving tangible support such as food and clothing. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest services that address basic family needs were related to positive child welfare outcomes. The provision of basic services, such as health care and financial assistance through entitlement benefits and tangible donations, may help to establish a foundation so mothers can concentrate on recovery and parent