course »The Impact of Parental Substance Abuse on Kids and Teens

Date: 10/4/2019, 9:00 am—5:00 pm
County: Alameda County
CEUs: 6.5
Location: Oakland
Sponsor: Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
Phone: 510-482-2244
On the one hand, it is hard to make blanket statements about how parental substance abuse impacts kids and teens. The scope of the impact depends on numerous factors, including a child’s temperament, support circle and the nature, severity and duration of the parent substance use. At the same time, there is data that suggests children are negatively impacted by growing up in homes where one or more parent abuses substances. This training will explore the ways that parental substance abuse affects attachment styles in children, as well emotional and behavioral functioning. Children and teens in the foster care system can be impacted by parental substance abuse at many points along their development (from pre-removal stressors, to reunification barriers, and mixed-messages sent from their parents while they are in care). We will also offer participants insight into how to talk to children about parent substance abuse, as well as highlight specific interventions that can be helpful for youth and teens in the child welfare system.