AIA. Identifying, Reporting, and Responding to Substance Exposed Newborns: An Exploratory Study of Policies & Practices (2005)

This study analyzes policies and practices regarding the identification, reporting and child welfare response to substance exposed newborns (SEN) in eight cities throughout the United States. This research was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Substance Abuse Policy Research Program. read more ...

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Passage of Senate Bill 190 in Missouri which was a comprehensive response to the problems communities face with infants born prenatally exposed to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Judge William Mauer led the local charge by keeping the Task Force proposed legislation in front of the Legislature from 1990 to passage in June 1991. Legislation requires mandatory counseling by health care provider of all pregnant women about the effects of prenatal alcohol and other drug use; gives priority for drug treatment to pregnant women, etc.  read more ...

Young N.K., Gardner, S.L. (2007) Substance-exposed infants: current issues and Responses, APSAC Advisor, 19(4):12-17.

This article provides a brief review of prevalence estimates, a summary of state policies and programs to assist families of substance-exposed infants, and suggestions of needed interventions in both policy and direct practice. read more ...

Figdor E and Kaeser L, Concerns mount over punitive approaches to substance abuse among pregnant women, The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy, 1998, 1(5):3-5.

Treatment programs for women who use drugs during pregnancy have developed out of a backdrop of punitive policies and the psychosocial complexities of this population, which include psychological comorbidities and consideration of the needs of their children. In this literature review, we examine evidence-based approaches to treatment for these women and some promising newer initiatives. We also discuss limitations of this research and issues that need to be addressed. The increasing understanding and acceptance of substance abuse as a treatable mental health disorder brings renewed optimism to this field. read more ...

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2008). Substance-Exposed Infants: State Responses to the Problem.

A review and analysis of States' policies regarding prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. States have instituted a range of policies to address prenatal substance exposure. These policies are carried out by multiple agencies and organizations, and practice does not always conform to official policy. To gain a better understanding of what States are currently doing about the issue, this study reviewed States' policies and practices by examining legislation and policy in all States and by conducting intensive interviews with State-level staff in 10 selected States.  read more ...

Werner, D., Young, N.K., Dennis, K, & Amatetti, S. (2007). Family-centered treatment for women with substance use disorders - history, key elements and challenges. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

This briefing paper looks at the role of family in the context of treatment for women with substance use disorders. First a continuum of family-based services is presented. This continuum offers a framework for defining and discussing different ways of approaching family involvement in treatment services. The remainder of the paper explores a comprehensive model of family-centered treatment including key principles, components, modalities of delivery, and challenges to establishing and operating family-centered treatment programs. This paper is informed through an extensive literature search and review, as well as information gathered from experts in family-based services. Expert knowledge was garnered from participants in a symposium titled A Practice-Based Symposium on Comprehensive Family-Centered Treatment held in July 2005 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), in conjunction with the Rebecca Project for Human Rights. read more ...

This report presents the findings of a national evaluation of Family Treatment Drug Courts (FTDCs) conducted by NPC Research and funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Family Treatment Drug Courts are specialized courts designed to work with substance abusing parents involved with the child welfare system. The national evaluation examined whether court, child welfare, and treatment outcomes differed for families served through FTDCs as compared to families who received traditional child welfare services. Furthermore, the evaluation explored not only whether drug courts work, but also how and for whom they work. read more ...

This report presents the findings of a national evaluation of Family Treatment Drug Courts (FTDCs) conducted by NPC Research and funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Family Treatment Drug Courts are specialized courts designed to work with substance abusing parents involved with the child welfare system. The national evaluation examined whether court, child welfare, and treatment outcomes differed for families served through FTDCs as compared to families who received traditional child welfare services. Furthermore, the evaluation explored not only whether drug courts work, but also how and for whom they work. read more ...