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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Maria C. Frontera, MSW, LSW, Division Children, Youth and Families Programs, Health Federation of Philadelphia, 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 801, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-567-8001, mfrontera@healthfederation.org, Michelle M. Heyward, MEd, Coordinating Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Behavioral Health, 1101 Market Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, David Dan, MSW, LCSW, PA Mentor, 625 W. Ridge Pike, Bldg. B, Suite 102, Conshohocken, PA 19428, and Jasmin Vazquez, MSW, Aftercare Program, Health Federation of Philadelphia, 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 801, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Research indicates that children of substance dependent women are more likely to be victims of neglect and abuse and are more likely to experience emotional, physical or developmental problems as a result of their mother's addiction. Furthermore, the stresses of parenting, once women reenter the community from a structured treatment setting, can be a trigger for relapse. While treatment providers focus primarily on issues of addiction, other significant issues such as the development of parenting skills, awareness of a child's developmental, health, and social/emotional needs must be addressed for the long term recovery and safety of the family unit.

The Philadelphia Department of Human Services, Division of Community-Based Prevention Services (Philadelphia's child welfare system), in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health, major providers of substance abuse treatment, The Health Federation of Philadelphia, and Congreso de Latinos Unidos implemented a cross systems collaborative care model for pregnant and parenting women and their children who are participating in residential and outpatient treatment programs. The prevention care model begins during residential treatment and extends into aftercare services utilizing case management and home visitation.

Evaluation of this model demonstrates: increased in lengths of stay; reduced premature discharges; 78 % of goal completion. Cross-systems outcomes of the aftercare component include: continuous delivery of health, education and social services to the children; reduced family involvement in the child welfare system; broad-based support for the women in the achievement and maintenance of their recovery; and coordination of the various systems with which the family is involved.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key components and prevention strategies of the model.
• Discuss the benefits and challenges inherent in cross system collaborations.
• Apply the stated model to other communities.

Keywords: Collaboration, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered