From Duke U: How does family drug treatment court participation affect child welfare outcomes?

Child Abuse Negl. 2014 Apr 12. pii: S0145-2134(14)00103-3. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.03.010. [Epub ahead of print]

How does family drug treatment court participation affect child welfare outcomes?

Gifford EJ1, Eldred LM2, Vernerey A2, Sloan FA2.

Author information

• 1Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, Box 90545, 214 Rubenstein Hall, 302 Towerview Road, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
• 2Department of Economics, Duke University, USA.

Abstract

Parental substance use is a risk factor for child maltreatment. Family drug treatment courts (FDTCs) have emerged in the United States as a policyoption to treat the underlying condition and promote family preservation. This study examines the effectiveness of FDTCs in North Carolina on child welfare outcomes. Data come from North Carolina records from child protection services, court system, and birth records. Three types of parental participation in a FDTC are considered: referral, enrolling, and completing an FDTC. The sample includes 566 children who were placed into foster care and whose parents participated in a FDTC program. Findings indicate that children of parents who were referred but did not enroll or who enrolled but did not complete had longer stays in foster care than children of completers. Reunification rates for children of completers were also higher. Outcomes for children in the referred and enrolled groups did not differ in the multivariate analyses. While effective substance use treatment services for parents may help preserve families, future research should examine factors for improving participation and completion rates as well as factors involved in scaling programs so that more families are served.