NCJ Number
192119
Date Published
2001
Length
149 pages
Annotation
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed this Technical Assistance Publication to help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) officials address the needs of the families in their caseloads who are not succeeding, partly because of substance use.
Abstract
Substance abuse can be a chronic relapsing disease, characterized by denial and stigma, making it difficult for people to talk about their abuse or seek treatment. Welfare recipients are especially fearful of disclosing substance abuse problems because they fear their children will be taken and they ultimately will be penalized by public and social service systems. However, substance abuse can be addressed, and treatment has been successful in improving work outcomes. Information and insights included in this Technical assistance Publication (TAP) were drawn from a number of sources. First, a literature review on The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), particularly the provisions relating to substance abuse, was conducted. There was also a review of the literature regarding what is known about the extent of substance abuse among welfare recipients. Data was also collected about recipients’ circumstances after passage of PRWORA. Since welfare reform places a high priority on work outcomes, a survey was conducted on substance abuse and work. This TAP includes four chapters. In chapter one, a list of reform provisions that have special relevance for substance abuse is listed. A summary of some of the literature about the prevalence of substance abuse among welfare recipients and the connections between substance abuse and work is also included. In chapter two, the values and limitations of paper and pencil instruments, drug tests, and other methods available to welfare agencies and their partners to identify substance abuse among recipients is reviewed. In addition, some considerations for administrators to use when deciding how to assign staff responsibilities or screen recipients for drug abuse is examined. In chapter three, the authors present a different option for welfare administrators, one that goes outside the welfare office to locate people struggling with substance abuse, including people who are receiving TANF benefits and those who are at risk for needing TANF if their substance abuse problems are not addressed. In chapter four, a description of the kinds of changes that welfare reform suggests for agencies themselves is reviewed. The importance of missions, goals, and values, and suggestions on ways that administrators can create cultures that reflect these, is stressed. Appendix of resource organizations, sources, references