The opioid and methamphetamine crises have placed an immense burden on families and the child welfare system (CWS) across the United States, particularly in Oregon. As these twin epidemics continue to escalate, there is an urgent need for effective prevention and treatment interventions. The research article "Swimming Against the Current: Addressing Community Needs and Establishing Partnerships for the Prevention of Opioid and Methamphetamine Use Among Parents" offers valuable insights into how practitioners can enhance their skills by implementing community-based strategies and evidence-based interventions.
The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families
Oregon has been at the forefront of the opioid and methamphetamine crises, with significant implications for families and the CWS. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues by increasing parental substance use initiation and escalation due to adverse mental health impacts and reduced access to services. The rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl has further heightened the risk of overdose-related deaths among parents.
The Role of Community Partnerships
The research emphasizes the importance of establishing strong community partnerships to address these challenges effectively. By collaborating with organizations such as the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), practitioners can identify regions most in need of preventive services. This collaborative approach has led to the implementation of the Families Actively Improving Relationships (FAIR) program and its upstream prevention adaptation, PRE-FAIR.
Implementing Evidence-Based Interventions
The FAIR program is an intensive outpatient treatment intervention designed to support families involved with the CWS who are affected by parental substance use disorders. It addresses substance use, mental health, parenting skills, and social determinants of health. The PRE-FAIR model maintains these core components but focuses more on prevention rather than treatment.
Practitioners can benefit from understanding the Stages of Implementation Completion (SIC), which provides a roadmap for implementing these programs successfully. The SIC outlines eight stages, including engagement, feasibility consideration, readiness planning, hiring and training, fidelity monitoring, program launch, ongoing quality assurance monitoring, and competency in program delivery.
Overcoming Recruitment Challenges
One significant challenge identified in the research is the disproportionate number of referrals requiring substance use treatment compared to those eligible for prevention interventions like PRE-FAIR. To address this, practitioners can employ strategies such as:
- Consistent Engagement with Community Partners: Regular check-ins with CW/SS staff can help maintain awareness and promote referrals for prevention programs.
- Broaden Recruitment Efforts: Engaging additional community partners such as legal systems, schools, and community-based organizations can expand outreach efforts.
- Tailored Recruitment Materials: Developing customized materials for different communities or groups can enhance engagement.
- Promote Self-Referrals: Utilizing social media platforms and placing flyers in strategic locations can encourage parents to self-refer.
- Efficient Screening Process: Streamlining information transfer from referral to service request ensures timely engagement with eligible parents.
Sustaining Long-Term Program Success
The research highlights that early investment in implementation strategies can gradually shift community focus toward prevention. By addressing both treatment and prevention needs within communities, practitioners can alleviate some of the burdens on CWS workers and create a sustainable infrastructure for ongoing support.
The study also underscores the importance of evolving recruitment strategies to meet community needs effectively. By fostering strong partnerships and leveraging innovative approaches like social media messaging, practitioners can ensure a steady flow of referrals for prevention interventions.
This comprehensive approach not only enhances practitioner skills but also contributes to a broader understanding of how evidence-based interventions can be implemented successfully within diverse communities.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Swimming Against the Current: Addressing Community Needs and Establishing Partnerships for the Prevention of Opioid and Methamphetamine use Among Parents.
