Enhanced Services for Mothers in Substance Abuse Treatment
To make a referral or learn more about Prevention Services call 215-683-4000
This program provides services designed to reduce the incidence of abuse and neglect among women with drug and alcohol issues. Women are linked to a Family Services Coordinator who develops a plan for her and her children at the same time her chemical dependency is being addressed. The program also provides an aftercare advocate who provides intensive ongoing services to help the client sustain recovery. The aftercare advocate begins working with the client one to two months prior to discharge and follows the client until she is stabilized.
Target Population
Pregnant women and mothers with children under five in residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs.
Research indicates that children of substance dependent women are more likely to be victims of neglect and abuse and to experience emotional, physical or developmental problems resulting from their mother’s addiction. For some children, the ramifications of addiction begin even before birth as many addicted women receive little or no prenatal care. During early childhood, these children often fail to receive well-baby care. Thus, therapeutic services are needed for children of substance using mothers to prevent future maladaptive behaviors. Moreover, according to a DHS report, children of addicted parents are more likely to abuse drugs. In order to stop the cycle of addiction, interventions are best targeted to the entire family.
Program Approach
The program utilizes a case management/home visiting continuity of care model. Through the program, a woman is linked to a Family Services Coordinator who will develop a plan for her and her children at the same time her chemical dependency is being addressed. The program also provides an aftercare advocate who provides intensive ongoing services to help the client sustain recovery. The aftercare advocate begins working with the client one to two months prior to discharge and follows the client until she is stabilized. Services are provided at decreasing levels until a client achieves stability.
The program:
Engages children in the treatment process
Supports the mother’s effort to cope with children
Has a home visiting component
Supports the mother after she leaves the treatment program
Services Provided by the Family Services Coordinator
Providing early and ongoing assessments of the child(ren)’s needs and making necessary referrals.
Supporting treatment to stabilize child and family.
Coordinating referrals and advocating for children’s health care/medical needs.
Coordinating referrals and advocating for screenings for age appropriate development.
Coordinating referrals and advocating for children who need individual or family therapy sessions.
Coordinating referrals to community-based children’s educational, early intervention and mental health treatment services as necessary.
Collaborating with therapists, teachers, case managers and mothers to develop individualized service plans for identified children.
Collaborating with schools to monitor progress of children.
Identifying and/or developing appropriate activities for children during non-school hours.
Implementing and facilitating children’s groups.
Facilitating activities to assist the mother in enhancing her parenting skills.
Coordinating all activities between residential treatment provider and child welfare agencies including the Department of Human Services and its affiliated organizations.
Coordinating family reunification plans with other members of the treatment team as well as the child welfare agencies.
Participating in Family Service Plan meetings or court appointments as necessary.
Participating in team meetings to discuss children’s and mother’s treatment plans.
Services Provided by the Aftercare Advocate
Development of a plan to keep the client connected to recovery efforts.
Development of aftercare plans.
Development of a relapse prevention plan.
Linking mothers to mentoring programs and other community-based support services or groups.
Assisting women in managing family issues and family dynamics.
Participating in team meetings to discuss children and mothers’ treatment plans.
Follow-up on treatment plan goals.
Collaborating with the Family Services Coordinator to ensure that children’s needs are met after mother has been discharged from the treatment program.
Collaborating with treatment team members to ensure children’s mental health needs are met after discharge from treatment program.
Collaborating with schools to monitor progress of children.
Coordinating family reunification plans with other members of the treatment team as well as child welfare agencies.
Keeping mother’s engaged in the process of enhancing parenting skills
Acting as a liaison between child welfare agency, treatment program and other related service providers to coordinate services.
Making linkages to needed services such as housing, education and employment.
Acting as a point person for concurrent case management services.
