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Technical Assistance

The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW) provides technical assistance (TA) on substance abuse issues in the child welfare population. TA is available to national, state, tribal, and local agencies and individuals. A key feature of NCSACW's efforts is assistance in developing the cross-system partnerships and practice changes that are needed to address the issues of substance use disorders among families in the child welfare system.

All requests for On-site and In-Depth TA are coordinated with CSAT and ACF offices. Approved TA is provided at no charge. A limited amount of on-site TA is provided at no charge based on availability and application process.

NCSACW staff and consultants are available to:

• Connect you with materials and other resources, including: publications, journal articles, research and statistics
• Answer your questions and refer you to other experts in the fields
• Present at conferences, training, and seminars
• Consultation on bridging collaboration among substance abuse treatment, child welfare agencies, and the court systems
• Facilitate clinical and policy workgroups of substance abuse, child welfare staff and judicial officers
• Assist States in preparing for their Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSRs) and developing their Program Improvement Plans (PIPs)

NCSACW Supported Site Locations

• RPG Sites
• CAM Sites
• IDTA Sites
• OJJDP Sites

Collaboration in Action

Child welfare, substance abuse treatment and court professionals in States, Tribes, Counties and communities across the country are coming together on behalf of families. They are:

• Developing Memoranda of Understanding and shared values statements to guide their collaboration
• Putting screening and assessment protocols in place to enhance parent engagement and retention in services
• Identifying the special needs of children affected by substance abuse
• Creating data systems and information sharing protocols that can support cross-system case management
• Finding creative ways to fund comprehensive family centered services.

National Resource Centers of the Children's Bureau, ACYF

The National Resource Centers (NRCs), funded by the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provide training, technical assistance and research. Each NRC focuses in a different area, such as youth development, legal and judicial issues, tribes, permanency and family connections, in-home services and adoption. The NRCs help build the capacity of State, local, Tribal and other publicly administered or supported child welfare agencies to improve child welfare systems and to achieve safety permanency and well-being for children and families.

Learn More about National Resource Centers of the Children's Bureau, ACYF