Format

Poster Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Rochester School District

Second Presenter's Institution

NA

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Strand #1

Family & Community

Strand #2

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

Our proposal relates best to heart as well as family and community. Children of Substance Abusing Parents are a unique population that benefit from specific services aimed at increasing protective factors as well as providing support. They need support offered at a community level.

Brief Program Description

Target population surrounds anyone working with children who may have family or loved ones abusing substances. Addiction is a family disease and not only is the person suffering from addiction impacted but others in their life as well such as a child. According to SAMHSA, “Based on data from the combined 2009 to 2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, about 1 in 8 children (8.7 million) aged 17 or younger lived in households with at least one parent who had a past year substance use disorder.” These children face different stressors than those who are in homes where there is not substance use. Throughout working with this population in our community we have found that these children often have poor school attendance, inadequate food sources, increased anxiety and other barriers that prevent them from thriving within a school environment.

Summary

The aim of this poster presentation is to educate that children of substance abusing parents are an underserved population who need specific supports. Practical implications that can be taken back would be working to create supports for these youth such as advertising Al- Ateen or even offering a Children of Substance Abusing Parents group within the school. It is important that these youth feel they are not alone and they are not responsible for their parent’s substance abuse. The primary message used throughout these services surrounds the fact that these youth are not alone. They are not alone in the sense that they have supportive adults willing to offer supports and there are other youth out there who have parents who misuse substances.

Evidence

During our work within the school system serving this population we have found that it is important that these students know they are not alone and there are resources out there. We have been able to create and in house food pantry, support groups and other supports for this population as a result of identifying it as a need.

“The CBHSQ Report presented by SAMHSA presents information on the number of children who are living with at least one parent with an SUD related to their use of alcohol or illicit drugs. Previous research has shown that children of parents with an SUD were found to be of lower socioeconomic status and had more difficulties in academic, social, and family functioning when compared with children of parents who do not have an SUD. These children are also more likely to have higher rates of mental and behavioral disorders. Children who are exposed to a parent with SUDs are more likely to develop SUD symptoms themselves (https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3223/ShortReport-3223.pdf).”

Biographical Sketch

Nicole Dale is a Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in New Hampshire who has worked within the Rochester School District for seven years under different grants. She has done work as a Student Assistance Person where she has been able to work with youth of different capacities. She has taken an interest in working with Children of Substance Abusing Parents after noticing the lack of resources and high rate of students impacted.

Keyword Descriptors

YOUTH, ADDICTION, SUPPORT, COMMUNITY, RESOURCES, PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Presentation Year

2018

Start Date

3-6-2018 4:00 PM

End Date

3-6-2018 5:30 PM

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Mar 6th, 4:00 PM Mar 6th, 5:30 PM

Children of Substance Abusing Parents

Target population surrounds anyone working with children who may have family or loved ones abusing substances. Addiction is a family disease and not only is the person suffering from addiction impacted but others in their life as well such as a child. According to SAMHSA, “Based on data from the combined 2009 to 2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, about 1 in 8 children (8.7 million) aged 17 or younger lived in households with at least one parent who had a past year substance use disorder.” These children face different stressors than those who are in homes where there is not substance use. Throughout working with this population in our community we have found that these children often have poor school attendance, inadequate food sources, increased anxiety and other barriers that prevent them from thriving within a school environment.