FOR YOUR INFORMATION

FYI FYI FYI FYI FYI FYI FYI FYI FYI FYI
Issue	17-33	Date:	10/02/17
USE OF THE DCFS DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAM Drug testing is an important tool to utilize when assessing safety during the initial/Emergency Response phase of serving children and families and subsequently during the Family Maintenance and Family Reunification phases of our service delivery system when monitoring safety is a key activity. As is addressed in DCFS policy, the use of drug testing is aligned with the Core Practice Model (CPM). In DCFS, there is an utmost value for drug testing to address child safety, and drug testing continues to be made available to meet the needs of Children’s Social Workers and their supervisors. Simultaneously, the goal is to use this tool effectively and efficiently, the latter that contributes to fiscal responsibility. Current DCFS policy has the intent to address these key qualities. This FYI serves as a useful reminder of the directives in the DCFS Drug and Alcohol Testing Program’s Procedural Guide (1200-500.30/Revision Date: 08/31/16). DCFS Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Any recommendation that is made to the Court for a parent and/or caregiver to participate in drug and/or alcohol testing, must be tailored to the family’s underlying needs as identified through the engagement in the Child and Family Team (CFT) process utilizing concepts of the Core Practice Model (CPM) and the approval of the CSW and SCSW. In use of the CPM, this means that CSWs have the ability to reduce the client’s testing regimen to random, on demand or cease testing. The ongoing tracking, intervention, planning, adapting & understanding of the families underlying needs indentified by utilizing the CPM should guide the correct use of testing. This appropriately aligns the use of alcohol and/or drug testing with DCFS’ commitment to the CPM, and the activities of Tracking, Adapting and Transitioning, that focuses on identifying the strengths and needs of families and determining goals jointly with the family as established in the CFTs. Court Recommendation Use one of the following in the court report under the “recommendation to Court” section when recommending a parent or caregiver participate in the DCFS Drug and Alcohol Testing Program: For parents/primary caregivers who have recent suspected or alleged substance abuse allegations, the following recommendation is to be made to court: It is respectfully recommended that the Court order the parent/primary caregiver to test twice a month through the DCFS Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. The Department will have discretion to increase, decrease or cease the testing based on the progress of the parent/primary caregiver in (his/her) court ordered testing and/or substance abuse counseling program. For parents/primary caregivers who have documented history of substance abuse, the following recommendation is to be made to court: It is respectfully recommended that the Court order the parent/primary caregiver to test weekly through the DCFS Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. The Department will have the discretion to decrease testing to random, on-demand or cease testing based on the progress of the parent/primary caregiver or to increase testing after it has exercised its discretion in accordance with the Core Practice Model. Implementing Practice Guidelines Concurrently, with staff’s greater use of the above policy directives, a review of practice guidelines on drug testing in child welfare settings will be implemented. Guidelines published by the Federal government through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and by the State currently exist. Integration of practice guidelines will be useful to the CPM and can serve as a complement to DCFS policy and, as well, will contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the DCFS Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.