Rethinking the Removal of Kids From Moms Struggling With Addiction

SAVE the CHILDREN RIGHT NOW –

May 15, 2024 – Addiction is so prevalent and the effects so severe that child welfare agencies are struggling to find enough foster families to care for substance-exposed infants. Children under age 5 are the fastest-growing age group entering foster care, and about half of those kids enter out-of-home care because of parental substance use. Amid the crisis, state governments are finding ways to support the comprehensive needs of mothers in recovery while keeping their infants and young children safe. These state efforts reflect a shift in greater child welfare policy toward family preservation, the well-being of both parents and children, and collaboration between child welfare, health and early childhood systems.

Louisiana Sen. Beth Mizell (R) sponsored legislation (SB 268, 2022) that requires certain substance use disorder facilities to provide pregnant women access to at least one form of opioid agonist treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration.