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Effectiveness of comprehensive services for crack-dependent mothers with newborns and young children
1National Development and Research Institutes, New York, NY 10048, USA. steve.magura@ndri.org
Insights
The Family Rehabilitation Program (FRP) helps mothers with substance use disorders, especially those with infants exposed to cocaine. Completing the program improved abstinence rates and reduced child welfare cases.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
- Child Welfare
Background:
- Families with drug-dependent parents, particularly those caring for infants exposed to cocaine prenatally, require specialized support.
- Community-based programs offer a promising avenue for comprehensive family services.
- The Family Rehabilitation Program (FRP) in New York City provides such services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of the Family Rehabilitation Program (FRP).
- To assess the program's impact on maternal substance use and child welfare.
- To determine the effectiveness of community-based interventions for this population.
Main Methods:
- An outcome study of 173 mothers across 17 FRP sites over one year.
- Substance use assessed via hair analysis and self-report.
- Follow-up evaluation of client retention, abstinence rates, and child placement.
Main Results:
- Mean client retention was 10 months, with 50% active at follow-up.
- Mothers completing or remaining in FRP showed higher abstinence and lower cocaine levels.
- No significant increase in out-of-home child placements; program completion associated with reduced placement.
Conclusions:
- The Family Rehabilitation Program (FRP) demonstrates positive outcomes in maternal substance use and child welfare.
- Community-based, comprehensive services are effective for families affected by parental substance dependence.
- Continued engagement in FRP is linked to improved maternal health and family stability.
Abstract:
This article presents an outcome study of the Family Rehabilitation Program (FRP), a unique network of community-based programs in New York City that provides comprehensive services to families with drug-dependent parents, most caring for prenatally cocaine-exposed newborns. An admission sample of 173 mothers in 17 FRP sites was studied for one year; substance use was assessed by hair analysis and self-report. Mean length of retention was 10 months; half the clients were still active in the program at follow-up. Mothers completing or still active in FRP had higher rates of abstinence and substantially lower average levels of cocaine in their hair at follow-up than those exiting prematurely. The percent of families with children out of their homes did not increase significantly between admission and follow-up, and completing or remaining active in the program were associated with less out-of-home placement at follow-up.