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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Services used by perinatal substance-users with child welfare involvement: a descriptive study
Kenneth J McCann1, Jean E Twomey, Donna Caldwell
1Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. jtwomey@wihri.org.
Harm Reduction Journal
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Basic medical and financial services significantly improved child welfare outcomes for pregnant women with substance use disorders. These services support mothers in recovery and parenting, promoting family reunification and permanency.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal health
- Child welfare services
- Substance use disorder treatment
Background:
- Pregnancy substance use frequently involves the child welfare system, necessitating coordinated services for families.
- The Vulnerable Infants Program of Rhode Island (VIP-RI) is a care coordination program for perinatal substance users.
- VIP-RI aims to optimize reunification and promote permanency for substance-exposed infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe services utilized by VIP-RI participants.
- To analyze child welfare outcomes associated with program participation.
- To identify specific services linked to successful child welfare outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the first four years of the VIP-RI program.
- Identification of participant characteristics, services received, and child welfare outcomes.
- Outcomes measured included closed child welfare cases, reunification, and permanent infant placements.
Main Results:
- Medical services (family planning, prenatal/postnatal care, HIV counseling) were linked to positive outcomes.
- Financial services (entitlement benefits, tangible support like food/clothing) were associated with successful child welfare outcomes.
- Basic needs support appears crucial for mothers focusing on recovery and parenting.
Conclusions:
- Services addressing fundamental family needs correlate with improved child welfare outcomes.
- Healthcare and financial assistance provide a foundation for mothers in recovery and skill development.
- Identifying effective services for perinatal substance users has broad implications for multiple systems involved with these families.
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