Assessing the Benefits and Increasing the Utility of Addiction Training for Public Child Welfare Workers: A Pilot Study.

摘要: Abuse of alcohol or other drugs is at the root many child welfare problems, yet most workers receive little academic training to cope with these difficulties in their clients. Continuing education a useful tool facilitate adoption attitudes necessary for effective response addicted persons. Workers may not approach continuing an eye identifying specific opportunities changing practice, however, and impediments workplace make implementing change difficult. if supervisors help setting goals, removing obstacles, facilitating workers' efforts incorporate into practice what they learn classroom.The recognition that alcoholism addictions have profound impact upon social work new insight. As early as 1917, Mary Richmond wrote importance worker's role combatting alcoholism. another century draws close, problems drug use continue negative clients.The consequences addiction are particularly severe practice. Addiction exacts high toll from vulnerable members families--young yet-to-be born children. The U.S. Department Health Human Services [1990] estimates least 50% all abuse neglect cases involve addiction. In randomized study juvenile court records, Famularo et al. [1992a] discovered 67% maltreatment involved substance-abusing parent. same authors found increased likelihood substance problem among mothers who maltreated children [Famularo 1992b]. Children families where parent has higher risk developing own adolescents adults [Vellerman 1992]. It difficult imagine being practitioner today without incorporating awareness knowledge one's work.In spite significance problem, know about addictions. Van Wormer [1987] noted established helping professions, including work, tradition neglecting Most complete entire experience no formal on Perhaps result, tend avoid dealing clients [Googins 1984]. Kagle failed identify respond client's dismal 83% she studied.Increasing skill through one this perceived deficit. Little research, been conducted after return job [Roat 1988; Vinokur-Kaplan 1986]. expenditures increase resources decrease, it important monitor both This article reports results designed evaluate influence also assessed ability content changes described common obstacles change, identified supervisory practices training.TRAINING RESEARCHIn review empirical literature education, Roat [1988] only eight studies relationship between staff performance. Seven did report positive performance following training.Changes attitude likely prerequisites behavioral Pecora …