Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders

This manual provides a basis for understanding parental substance use disorder and its relationship to child maltreatment. It is intended to help child protective services (CPS) caseworkers identify when drug and alcohol use by a parent or other caregiver is a factor in child welfare cases and work more effectively to meet the needs of all family members involved. A variety of other professionals may find this manual helpful in building their understanding of child protection issues among the families with whom they work, such as those working in mental health, child care, health care, child advocacy, and law enforcement, as well as alcohol and drug abuse treatment providers.