A statement was requested from you highlighting what you have accomplished in bullet point format.
I have copied the Committee recommendation you have completed and uploaded the fentanyl campaign you started, met, and is up and running.
Sell your success to the reader on how you have influenced Washington State DCYF, a state agency leader, in addressing the opioid epidemic, supporting the valuable population impacted by SUD the agency serves while embracing a preventive harm reduction approach aiming to keep families together.
Recommendations completed:
The Committee recommends that the DCYF Substance Use Disorder Program Manager consider developing a SUD Protocol to aid caseworkers in uniformly assessing child safety impacts related to parent/caregiver substance use.
Committee’s recommendation is for DCYF to create resource availability for case workers to consult with SUD professionals who have an understanding of, and experience in supporting individuals with co-occurring disorders and domestic violence history. The scope of the consultation may include, but is not limited to the following: case worker education regarding substance use and misuse, current trends and risks factors related to specific substances, interpretation of SUD records, and how to identify service and safety needs to be met. The Committee would like to see the following made available:
• DCYF to contract with community-based SUD professionals who could provide case consultation upon request. This service could be utilized statewide by case workers through a network of professionals that can provide written, virtual, or telephonic case consultation.
• DCYF to develop a memorandum of understanding for resource sharing with DSHS partners who have access to SUD consultation services.
• DCYF child welfare to collaborate with Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) regarding SUD resources utilized by JR and determine if resource-sharing could occur within the agency.
• DCYF to promote the availability of the statewide SUD program manager so that all local offices are aware this position is available to field questions related to SUD specific services and navigation of the SUD system.
Committee recommended the DCYF SUD program manager position require licensure as a certified substance use disorder professional so that DCYF caseworkers can access professional consultation.
The Committee recommended that DCYF consider developing a protocol requiring field staff to address safety planning for harmful and illicit substances with all families served. The Committee suggested the voice of individuals with lived SUD experience and expertise should be included in the protocol development. The Committee suggested the following be included in the protocol development:
– DCYF field staff should have knowledge of Naloxone (Narcan) and have access to carry it should they choose to.
– Field staff are able to educate families about signs of an overdose and how to respond and where and how they can access Naloxone.
– Family centered planning to include safety planning to keep children safe from harmful substances in the home and discuss relapse prevention plans to include those who may care for the children should a parent relapse or engage in substance use.
– Provide lockboxes and/or lock bags to families with instructions to utilize for harmful or illicit substances.
Development of a campaign that will include education and training opportunities for DCYF staff, contracted providers, and parents and caregivers regarding the risk of accidental ingestion of harmful substances to include Fentanyl/opioids. It is suggested this campaign include the following, but is not limited to these suggestions:
• Brochures to provide to families/caregivers related to the risk of accidental ingestion for children.
• Literature on the lethality of harmful substances related to child safety.
• Yearly SUD training provided to DCYF employees and contracted providers in a multi-pronged effort for educating those individuals assessing child safety and providing education on a yearly basis.
‒ It was suggested that yearly, the SUD program manager develop a training to include information related SUD themes and trends in the state, information related to assessing child safety, and resources for families that would be disseminated statewide to DCYF employees and contracted providers.
‒ Additionally, it was suggested that yearly, local offices/regions designate individual(s) to coordinate with local public health and/or law enforcement to provide training and information to local offices related to trends and themes in their communities related to SUD.
Committee’s recommendation is for DCYF to create resource availability for case workers to consult with SUD professionals who have an understanding of, and experience in supporting individuals with co-occurring disorders and domestic violence history. The scope of the consultation may include, but is not limited to the following: case worker education regarding substance use and misuse, current trends and risks factors related to specific substances, interpretation of SUD records, and how to identify service and safety needs to be met. The Committee would like to see the following made available:
• DCYF to contract with community-based SUD professionals who could provide case consultation upon request. This service could be utilized statewide by case workers through a network of professionals that can provide written, virtual, or telephonic case consultation.
• DCYF to develop a memorandum of understanding for resource sharing with DSHS partners who have access to SUD consultation services.
• DCYF child welfare to collaborate with Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) regarding SUD resources utilized by JR and determine if resource-sharing could occur within the agency.
• DCYF to promote the availability of the statewide SUD program manager so that all local offices are aware this position is available to field questions related to SUD specific services and navigation of the SUD system.
Committee recommended the DCYF SUD program manager position require licensure as a certified substance use disorder professional so that DCYF caseworkers can access professional consultation.
The Committee recommended that DCYF consider developing a protocol requiring field staff to address safety planning for harmful and illicit substances with all families served. The Committee suggested the voice of individuals with lived SUD experience and expertise should be included in the protocol development. The Committee suggested the following be included in the protocol development:
– DCYF field staff should have knowledge of Naloxone (Narcan) and have access to carry it should they choose to.
– Field staff are able to educate families about signs of an overdose and how to respond and where and how they can access Naloxone.
– Family centered planning to include safety planning to keep children safe from harmful substances in the home and discuss relapse prevention plans to include those who may care for the children should a parent relapse or engage in substance use.
– Provide lockboxes and/or lock bags to families with instructions to utilize for harmful or illicit substances.
Development of a campaign that will include education and training opportunities for DCYF staff, contracted providers, and parents and caregivers regarding the risk of accidental ingestion of harmful substances to include Fentanyl/opioids. It is suggested this campaign include the following, but is not limited to these suggestions:
• Brochures to provide to families/caregivers related to the risk of accidental ingestion for children.
• Literature on the lethality of harmful substances related to child safety.
• Yearly SUD training provided to DCYF employees and contracted providers in a multi-pronged effort for educating those individuals assessing child safety and providing education on a yearly basis.
‒ It was suggested that yearly, the SUD program manager develop a training to include information related SUD themes and trends in the state, information related to assessing child safety, and resources for families that would be disseminated statewide to DCYF employees and contracted providers.
‒ Additionally, it was suggested that yearly, local offices/regions designate individual(s) to coordinate with local public health and/or law enforcement to provide training and information to local offices related to trends and themes in their communities related to SUD.