Repairing the Roots: Substance Use and Child Welfare: Rebuilding Family-Centered Systems of Care

Substance use contributes to a range of complex public health challenges. While synthetic opioids remain central to the overdose crisis, deaths related to stimulants and alcohol are escalating. Beyond these medical concerns, the broader ripple effects are often overlooked, particularly the role of substance use in child neglect, family disruption and interpersonal violence. In today’s fragmented systems, these impacts are frequently addressed in silos, leading to gaps in care and missed opportunities for prevention and intervention

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with support from the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the Opioid Response Network, has developed a dynamic, four-part, interactive series for behavioral health providers and system leaders. The series explores the current fragmented landscape of substance use care and envisions an innovative, fully integrated future. Each session dives into one key sector, including health care, child welfare and schools, highlighting real-world challenges, cross-system opportunities and forward-thinking strategies to create a unified continuum of care that meets individuals and families where they are. A certificate of completion will be provided for attending the entire series.

Session 1 will address the often-siloed responses to substance-related child neglect and family disruption. This session highlights trauma-informed, cross-agency strategies to strengthen families and prevent system involvement.