Support foster/kinship and adoptive parents of children with a history of prenatal substance exposure

Parental substance use is a common factor in child welfare cases as it increases children's risk for neglect and maltreatment. As a result, the number of children removed from parental care requiring foster/kinship care or being adopted is on the rise. The experience of withdrawal and hospitalization predispose these children to poor attachment and negative mental and physical health outcomes. Often the carers and adoptive parents are unprepared for the subsequent increased caregiving needs of these children due to a lack of training and support services. Stigma and marginalization experienced by carers and adoptive parents can preclude children's access to health care services. Reflective practice and working in partnership with carers and adoptive parents, and providing training and practical supports are ways to best support children with prenatal substance exposure living in foster/kinship care and adoptive families.