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Addressing the Complex Needs of Children & Families
From the University of Montana's Center for
Children, Families,
and Workforce Development
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Illicit Drugs and Paraphernalia
Global drug trafficking, the over-prescribing of opioids, and the legalization of marijuana in many western states is jeopardizing the health and well-being of many Montana children, teenagers, and parenting adults. According to 2017 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 35.2% of Montana's high school students have used marijuana more than once, 68% have had at least one drink of alcohol, 13.7% tried prescription pain medicine without a doctor's prescription or not as directed, and 2.2% tried methamphetamine, heroin (1.7%) or inhalants (6.4%) (OPI, 2017). National data indicate that from 2011 to 2015, there was a 50% increase in the number of infants removed from their homes because of parental drug abuse and in Montana, 41% of all infants removed were the result of parental drug abuse (CB, 2015). Finally, Montana witnessed an alarming 437% increase in methamphetamine use violations from 2010 (236 total) to 2015 (1243 total) placing a heavy burden on families and the systems that serve them (Montana DOJ, 2017).
The secretive nature of substance abuse makes it difficult for parents, other caregivers, and professionals providing services to children, youth, or families to determine if illegal drugs are being used and how those substances are contributing to a decline in health, or a decreased ability to manage school, work, or parenting responsibilities. Similarly, the instruments, or paraphernalia being used to ingest these substances are constantly changing and often disguised as common household items to avoid detection. By accurately identifying illegal drug use and understanding its effects, we can engage family members in discussions about prevention and in seeking professional treatment. This month's Montana Minute focuses on identifying commonly used illegal drugs and the paraphernalia used to ingest various substances. These resources are intended for educational and training purposes only and include: photos of common illegal drugs and paraphernalia, tips for talking to youth and other family members about drug use, and suggestions for seeking treatment.
The University of Montana's Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development was established in 2015 to partner with the child protection, health, educational, and judicial systems to develop and deliver educational and training resources to professionals and caregivers statewide. The Center also conducts research that focuses on solving problems that impact children and families. The Center receives support from the University of Montana, College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, and School of Social Work.
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Featured Training Module: Identifying Drug Paraphernalia
The following module is an informational and educational resource for professionals, parents, and other caregivers who are involved in caring for, treating and educating children, teenagers, and young adults.
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Conversational Styles to Decrease Resistance & Support Behavior Change
This workshop introduces participants to the foundations and conversational styles utilized in Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Bozeman, June 19, 2018
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Engaging & Interviewing Adults in Child Welfare
This hands-on training is for professionals who are new to working with parents and foster parents involved in, or at risk of being involved in the foster care system. The training will improve the quality of your interviewing and assessment skills. The day long training integrates multiple learning formats, including a scenario-based interview activity designed to benefit child welfare employees.
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Webinar: The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on Children and Youth in Rural Communities--How Schools and Communities are Responding
The 2018 Rural Behavioral Health Webinar Series provides information and resources on innovative approaches to address the needs of rural community behavioral health providers. These approaches are embedded in a public health framework that acknowledges the role that social, economic, and geographic elements play in the lives of individuals and how it impacts behavioral health and well-being in rural settings. Attention is placed on providing information and resources on how to create and sustain services and supports so rural communities can reduce the impact of behavioral health problems and promote life quality for the entire community. The webinar series provides an opportunity for participants to learn from experts and each other about innovations, practices, and programs focused on rural communities.
July 19, 2018, 3:00 pm -- 4:30 pm
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Article Headline
Child and Family Services ECHO
Billings Clinic and UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development are partnering to bring Child and Family Services Division a unique opportunity to obtain expert knowledge, feedback and peer support in a six-month pilot of trauma-informed learning and case consultations via Project ECHO. Project ECHO, a video-based tele-mentoring platform, is utilized by Billings Clinic to reach clinicians across Montana on a variety of topics including pediatric and adult mental health, opioid use disorders, and adverse childhood experiences. Child and Family Services ECHO will focus on supporting child welfare professionals working with children who have been exposed to complex childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect. Child and Family Services ECHO will connect Montana's child welfare professionals with regional and national experts for peer support, service knowledge enhancement, case discussions and treatment planning.
Child and Family Services ECHO next session is on June 28, 2018 from
11:30 - 1 at CFSD offices.
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