Evaluating the Effects of Comprehensive Substance Abuse Intervention on Successful Reunification

Objective: This study examines permanency outcomes of families with children in foster care who participated in a comprehensive service-delivery program designed to assist families and communities in dealing with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. Method: Survival analysis is used to measure the impact of program participation on family reunification and re-entry of children into foster care. Results: The results of this study are that, contrary to initial expectations, participants move more slowly to reunification, although the group differences are not statistically significantly different, and re-entry rates are significantly higher among those children whose parents participate in this service. Conclusions: AOD abuse recovery is a long-term process. More intensive service interventions may not automatically produce better permanency outcomes.