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Family Support Systems

Another important part of the assessment process includes learning about the family's support systems. As a result of their substance abuse, some chemically involved parents lead isolated lives or have few friends, relatives, or contacts within community groups who can be helpful to them. Parents who have more resources upon which to rely during difficult times are more often able to provide a "safety net" for their children. Community and family supports are particularly significant for this population of vulnerable parents and children. Professionals should determine the following:

What are the parents' relationships with extended family, friends, and neighbors? Do family members live in the area? Are they a source of support or stress?

Are the parents involved with a church, temple, or community or social group? Is there a member of the clergy who can become involved in strengthening and counseling family members?

Are the individuals identified by the parents as supports alcoholics or involved with other drugs? (The professional can explore this factor by asking about these individuals' employment and lifestyle, as well as about the kinds of support they provide.)

How do relatives and friends support parental attempts to make lifestyle changes? Do they collude in the parents' denial?

In assessing the family support system, it is critical for the professional to talk with relatives and friends to determine their level of commitment and the circumstances under which they can be available to help and support the family.

Assessment of Relative Caregivers

When they cannot be protected from harm within their own parental home, children must be placed elsewhere to ensure their safety. Placement with relatives is often the first choice in such cases. To ensure that infants and children receive appropriate care from relatives and that services will be provided to relatives that will support them in the care of the children, it is essential that professionals assess the relatives' abilities and vulnerabilities in the areas of parenting skills and history of abuse, neglect or violence; alcohol and/or other drug use; quality of the relationship with the parent and ability to protect and nurture the child; and cooperation, receptivity, and access to services.

Parenting Skills and History of Abuse, Neglect, or Violence

Because of the intergenerational nature of substance abuse and child maltreatment, it is important to carefully evaluate relatives' past and present functioning with regard to their ability to meet the child's basic needs and to ensure that the child is protected from harm. Professionals should assess the following:

Has the relative had previous involvement with CPS agencies? If so, when did this occur and for what reasons? How was the situation resolved?

Does the relative have a history of poor impulse control evidenced by violence in the home?

Does the relative have a history of criminal activity that potentially could impact the care of the child?

Does the relative have emotional, physical, or intellectual limitations that would impair his/her ability to provide adequate care and supervision for the child?

How do the relative and the child relate to each other? What has been their pattern of interaction? How does the relative respond to the child's behaviors? How does he/she provide praise and discipline? Are expectations age-appropriate?

If the child has special needs, does the relative have access to needed services, and are services properly utilized?

Alcohol and/or Other Drug Use

Assessment of the relatives' drug and/or alcohol use is critical. Because intergenerational substance abuse characterizes so many chemically involved families, it is helpful to inquire into this area so that a child is not placed with another substance-abusing caregiver. Professionals need to assess the following:

Does the relative have a history of chemical dependency? If so, what was the extent of the addiction? How long has the relative been in recovery?

What impact has substance abuse had on this relative's life and functioning?

Quality of the Relationship With the Parent and Ability to Protect and Nurture the Child

It is essential to assess the dynamics of the relationship between birth parents and relative caregivers. Often, this relationship has implications for the child's physical safety and emotional well-being especially in situations in which there is ongoing conflict between parents and extended family members. In kinship situations, it is important for professionals to evaluate the following:

How have the parent and relative handled past conflicts? Is the parent violent or disruptive such that placement of the child with the relative might threaten the safety of either the child or the caregiver?

Does the relative acknowledge that the parent has a substance abuse problem? Does the relative acknowledge its impact on the child? Is the relative familiar with signs of drug and alcohol intoxication? Is the relative able to report honestly about parental visits and behavior? Such information may help the professional better assess whether the relative caregiver has the will, ability, and strength of character to set limits on the parent's behavior in order to protect the child.

Is the relative angry with the parent or so "burned out" with the parent's behavior that support for the parent-child relationship will be compromised?

Is the child likely to be used in a power struggle between the parent and the relative caregiver?

Is the relative caring for other children? If so, how many? How does the relative manage the care of all the children in the home?

Tags: Child Abuse

About the Author

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