Meeting the child care needs of the female alcoholic

The agency partnership described in this article has been satisfying to both the clients involved and the staffs of both agencies. The foster parents reported greater satisfaction from these fostering relationships than many others because of the short-term nature of the placement and their feeling that they were an instrumental force in healing and reuniting a family. The staffs of both agencies have enjoyed the exchange of professional information provided by the direct case contact, as well as inservice training designed to educate both staffs about the other's area of expertise. The total number of clients served has been low by original estimates. It is difficult to determine how much this has to do with client need versus the need for improved marketing of the child care option: the female alcoholic may underutilize the resource in her effort to deny the need for treatment. Further evaluation is needed. The strength of the partnership between the two agencies lies in its program flexibility, facilitated by reduced financial investment for either agency. The initial proposal was designed as a new continuum of service. The program can be adapted to meet the child care needs of the female alcoholic client as the needs change and/or become more defined.