Presented by Angela LaRiviere, Director of Youth Move Ohio
Part of the Healthy Kids Learning Community initiative through the CURES project and the Center for Innovative Practices at Case Western Reserve University, this final session reviews the input from Ohio’s youth via round-table discussion groups held throughout the past year that has helped identify the concerns of young people and their thoughts and recommendations regarding interventions, treatment, and recovery.
ViewHealthy Kids Learning Community Facilitated Discussions On the Opioid Crisis in Ohio Webinar
In order to help further understand the impact and challenges to young people and their families that have arisen during the opiate crisis in Ohio the Healthy Kids Learning Community organized, hosted, and facilitated family and youth discussion groups and activities, identifying concerns and making recommendations. The discussion groups were held throughout Ohio’s regions – Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Central, Upper Northeast and Lower Northeast Regions – and included youth, families and providers
The discussions and activities were used to: explore the impact of the epidemic and give voice to ideas and concerns while exploring strategies and models that support youth, parents and/or kinship caretakers in recovery.
Facilitated Discussions On the Opioid Crisis in Ohio: View or Download Powerpoint Presentation
Defining the Problem
The opiate crisis in Ohio is affecting our children and families at alarming rates. Through it all, there has been, and continues to be, a need to understand this crisis and prepare beyond the immediate needs and look into long-term lasting affects on the children in families who struggle with opiate addiction.
Ohio is the second worst state in the nation for drug overdoses, with Dayton ranked 1rst with the highest per capita overdoses in the country. Ohio also ranks in the top 6 for most deaths.
In addition, 50% of children in Ohio taken into custody in 2015 had a parent actively using drugs with 28% actively using opiates or heroin. 70% of children under the age of 1 in custody had a parent actively using opiates or heroin.
Furthermore, children in relative placement has increased 62% and Foster Care placements have increased 11%.
Shortage of Front Line Staff
Meanwhile, Ohio ranks 50th in the nation for state funding for Child Welfare. In 2016, 1 in 4 cases workers left their positions. – 1 in 7 case workers left their position all together.
Children in relative placement has increased 62%. Foster Care placements have increased 11%.
And while opiate use has increased the state allotment of Child Welfare funding has decreased by 21%.
Discussion Findings and Statewide Recommendations
One of the primary missions of the discussion sessions was to invite youth and families to identify their needs and priorities along with suggestions on how those needs might be addressed or met. The ten statewide recommendations are as follows:
– Flexibility in funding community based solutions, not only evidence based practice but also to allow new ideas.
– Support and interventions for families through Child Welfare before major crisis and support for older youth who are unattached to families.
– Strategic partnerships with community-based agencies including Y programs, community centers, faith-based, after-school programs, and housing agencies.
– Better communication between government agencies, local community agencies, and persons with lived experience.
– Focus on culture, mental health and trauma training for Police.
– Funding and support for school-based services, including behavioral health services and trauma, community resources and intervention training for teachers.
– Access to self and family referral to treatment facilities.
– Funding for professional peer support services to family and youth.
– Increase drug and mental health interventions and diversion programs in the court system.
– Entire family issues and dynamics should be considered when treating children and youth for behavioral health problems.
The Center for Innovative Practices (CIP), in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Family and Children First, and with the support of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), presents a webinar on “The Opioid Crisis and the Impact on Families,” exploring the unique impact of parental opiate use on the development of the child and the resulting challenges. We know that more children have been taken into child protective services custody due to opiate addiction in the family, that they are in out of home placement longer, and they seem to have a unique set of challenges. Join us to learn about how to support our families and children. The webinar was presented by Angela LaRiviere, Director of Youth Move Ohio, and Timothy Schaffner, Executive Director of Trumbull County Children Services.Substance Use, the Opioid Epidemic, and the Child Welfare System: Key Findings from a Mixed Methods Study Opiate Presentation Resources and References.
Healthy Kids Learning Community Facilitated Disussions On the Opioid Crisis in Ohio View Webinar
Also:
The National Child Traumatic Network Visit site | The Child Trauma Academy Visit site | ACE Study Visit site | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Visit site | American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Visit site | The Sanctuary Model Visit site
The Public Children Services Association of Ohio Visit site
About the Presenters
Angela LaRiviere, Director of Youth Move Ohio, supervises staff and youth to develop strategic plans for youth inclusion and voice in Ohio, provides training and guidance to youth, partner organizations and county groups. She also oversees grants and chapter development and participates in state management teams. She develops youth leadership councils on a state and county level. Develop advocacy and strategic plans. Provide support for youth and provide training and technical assistance to state and county partners. She has also created programing and policy agendas to address homeless youth issues and has facilitated state and local youth empowerment councils to address root causes of homelessness while also providing training and technical assistance to local, state, and national partners. she has also developed special programs for homeless youth and mothers and developed community awareness and funding strategies.
