Substance Use Disorder Series: Child Welfare | Parents & Children

Join us for another webinar on our Substance Use Disorder Series where we will talk on topics of child welfare and substance use disorder with guest speakers:

• Jane Dwyer Lee, MSW, LCSW, Teaching Professor, College of Social Work, Florida State University
• Robert Walker, MSW, Assistant Professor, Retired, College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science& Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky
• Joy McClellan, DSW, LCSW MSW Program Coordinator and Senior Instructor, Phyllis & Harvey Sandler School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University College of Social Work and Criminal Justice

With rising concern in the U.S. over opioid use and increased alcohol use during COVID conditions, there is also concern about the effects of parental substance use on children. With some studies showing that at least 50% of child maltreatment cases involve parental or caregiver substance use disorders, social workers need dual competencies in both assessment/interventions around child safety and wellbeing but also competency in assessing and intervening with SUDS. This workshop explores several dimensions of the effects of SUD on child maltreatment. First, it examines substance use effects on parental attention and responsibility. Second, it examines risks of direct child harm from persons using substances in home environments. Third, it explores the potential effects of parental SUD on child development. Fourth, it covers the sensitive practice of providing parental SUD as a gateway to retaining child custody. Lastly, it suggests raising awareness for child sex trafficking among parents with severe SUDs. Each content area will include both assessment approaches as well as recommended intervention possibilities. Ethical considerations will also be explored in each of the main content areas.