Substance use can be a key driver of family involvement in child welfare, criminal justice, and Medicaid systems – often compounding health, safety, and economic challenges across generations. Effective responses must address the needs of the whole family, helping parents access treatment, keeping children safe, and building the stability needed for lasting recovery.
In this Coffee with a Colleague conversation, Sellers Dorsey Child and Family Wellbeing Expert Katie Renner Olse and Behavioral Health Expert Jason Turi discuss how substance use and addiction intersect with child and family-serving systems, focusing on practical strategies for support. Jason draws on firsthand experience working with children and adults grappling with substance use and addiction, and shares insights for policymakers, providers, and system leaders on:
- The role of evidence-based treatment in supporting recovery
- How treatment models can help keep families together
- Why integrated approaches should address behavioral health, medical, and social needs alongside substance use
- How understanding relapse as part of the recovery process can inform more effective support
- Emerging approaches, including medication-assisted treatment, that can support recovery and greater independence
Learn more about how Sellers Dorsey can help strengthen systems that support vulnerable children and families.
