START: A Child Welfare Model for Drug-Affected Families

The Challenge of Drug Abuse in Child Welfare, Part Three

By the Annie E. Casey Foundation

January 2, 2001

Aecf F2 F A Child Welfare Model For Drug Affected Families P3 cover

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38-page PDF

In This Report, You’ll Learn

  • An overview of the START program, and how it brings together drug treatment providers and child welfare staff in Cuyahoga County.
  • Program goals, including how to keep children safe and help drug-addicted parents overcome their drug problems.
  • Program methods, including governance and staffing, and the need for role flexibility among child welfare social workers, advocates, drug treatment providers, health care providers, housing partners and other support systems.
  • Program evaluation strategy, including data sources and analytic techniques used.

About This Report

Summary

This document highlights the work of the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. START is a program that incorporates addiction-services treatment, good child welfare practice, and family preservation into case management. Also included is an evaluation of program implementation, operations, and child-welfare and substance abuse treatment outcomes. 

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

A Strength-Based Approach

The START program builds on the existing strengths of drug treatment providers and child welfare staff in Cuyahoga County, as well as current research on drug treatment for crack-addicted women. By bringing together addiction-services treatment, good child welfare practices, and family preservation practices, we can better address the special needs of drug-affected families.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations