The goal of this paper is to synthesize available data to help guide policy and programmatic initiatives for families with substance abuse problems who are involved with the child welfare system, and identify gaps in the research base preventing further refinement of practices in this area. To date, Family Treatment Drug Court and newly developed…

Meeting the needs of families who are involved with the child welfare system because of a substance abuse issue remains a challenge for child welfare practitioners. In order to improve services to these families, there has been an increasing focus on improving collaboration between child welfare, treatment providers, and the court systems. This…

This study assessed the effectiveness of building partnerships with community resources and systems for court-referred clients and their families through a participant outcome evaluation. Specific variables studied included change in substance abuse patterns, family well-being, child safety, and recidivism. Results from pre-post testing revealed…

Every state requires a home study before the placement of foster children for adoption. This article examines the history of home studies, presents results from expert interviews on the changing processes and purposes of home studies, and explores current challenges for the field. The article also introduces the Structured Analysis Family…

This study examines the characteristics and patterns of child maltreatment among Cambodian refugee families in Los Angeles and assesses the implications for child welfare practice with Cambodian refugee families. Data were extracted from 243 active Cambodian case files maintained by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services…

The United States is facing an epidemic of the use of methamphetamine drugs. Child welfare has not yet addressed the needs of the children living in so-called "meth homes." These children are endangered not only from the chemicals involved, but also from parental abuse and neglect. Communities are recognizing the need for interagency…

Recent child welfare research has identified supervisors as key to retaining qualified and committed workers. This paper describes implementation of a federally funded child welfare training initiative designed to improve worker retention largely through developing, implementing, and evaluating a statewide supervisor training program in a…

Nonprofit family-run organizations, such as Tennessee Voices for Children (TVC), are providing leadership in advocating for and delivering services to children and families in need. Utilizing a family-driven approach and a staff partially comprised of parent-professionals, TVC's Nashville Connection and Family Connection programs have strengthened…

Compares developmentally disabled children in foster care and adoption in 13 agencies nationwide and describes the parents who adopted these children. The importance of building links between foster care and adoption units within and between these agencies is stressed. (Author/BB)

Investigates the coordination of services for children with developmental disabilities among state agencies. Results suggest that a substantial number of children with developmental disabilities and their families receive services from child welfare agencies and that service coordination among agencies relies heavily on formal interagency…

Discusses the "Children Can't Wait" project, aimed at improving child welfare practice through improvements in attorney-social worker relationships. Describes seminars held to facilitate the project's goals. Identifies two ways to improve such relationships: multidisciplinary training and interagency collaboration. Attributes the success…

Reports on a three-year interagency collaborative effort between clinicians and state children's services workers who treat child victims of sexual abuse. Discusses client characteristics, treatment provided, and expectations of state social workers and treatment workers. (NH)

Discusses problems with pediatric care of foster children that were identified in a survey of pediatricians in Connecticut. Reviews recommendations of the Health Advisory Committee to the Connecticut Department of Children and Youth Services. Describes several solutions that have already been implemented in Connecticut. (BB)

Offers detailed guidelines that could be used as standard operating procedures for the merger of voluntary social service agencies. Discusses a survey of 32 agencies that merged during the years 1973 to 1986. Issues related to the roles of organization, staff, and service delivery in such mergers receive particular attention. (Author/BB)

Synthesizes articles in this special issue, highlighting the increasing public policy response to connecting child welfare and substance abuse services that will simultaneously serve children and their families affected by substance abuse. Considers challenges faced by these cooperative efforts, including the need to improve administrative data,…