In-Service Training: Understanding Birth Parent Addiction
China Darrington, Ohio CDCA, CDCA.165212; Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (OPRS) Supervisor (MH/A) China is a long-time advocate for recovery, peer recovery support and substance abuse and mental health recovery. She has implemented comprehensive recovery support service programs to help reduce overall costs of treatment and crisis intervention and operationalized those programs to fit within different organizations.
Just as children in foster care have lived through trauma, many of their parents have histories of childhood or adult trauma: physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, serious accidents, and community violence—along with the experience of having their children placed in foster care. These experiences, if left unaddressed, can lead to substance abuse issues. A parent’s addiction can make it difficult for them to work effectively with case workers, resource parents and CASA/GALs as they work toward reunification with their children. Even if you don’t know a parent’s personal history of trauma, you’re recognizing trauma may have played a role in their lives will help you more effectively support and work with the entire family.
