Prenatal Alcohol and Other Drug Exposures in Child Welfare
Prenatal exposure to substances, particularly alcohol, can cause damage that persists for a lifetime.
The potential effects include physical, developmental, behavioral, and cognitive issues. About two-thirds of families involved in the child welfare system struggle with substance use, but little is known about the extent of prenatal exposure in those families or how it is addressed. This project is examining methods for identifying and serving children in the child welfare system who are affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol and other substances, including opioids.
The work includes—
- A comprehensive literature review to understand current and promising policies and practices among child welfare agencies and service providers related to prenatal exposure
- Design and implementation of a study of current practices, including data collection and analysis
- Development of guidance on best practices for services and workforce training
The results will lay the groundwork for improved care and outcomes for children, reliable prevalence data, and appropriate allocation of resources.
Staff
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Erin Ingoldsby, Ph.D.
Director
Erin Ingoldsby has nearly 30 years of experience in applied social science research, program evaluation, and evaluation technical assistance in diverse content...
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Tammy Richards, M.Ed.
Senior Research Associate
Tammy Richards has more than 20 years of experience in program evaluation, applied social science research, evaluation training, and technical assistance. Her...
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Pirkko Ahonen, Ph.D., M.S.
Senior Research Associate
Pirkko Ahonen has more than 20 years of experience in evaluation studies, technical assistance, and applied research. She currently serves as the project director...
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Erin Geary, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Senior Research Associate
Erin Geary has 15 years of experience in program evaluation, project management, and technical assistance. His skills include designing and...
- James P. DeSantis, Ph.D. Vice President
- Kathy Kopiec, M.S.W., M.A. Research Associate
- Nicole M. Miller, M.S.W. Senior Research Associate
Partner
ICF