Parents abusing drugs or alcohol can have trouble fulfilling their caregiver duties. Substance abuse can interfere with mental functioning, judgement, and a parent’s ability to protect their child. Parents significantly affected by drugs or alcohol may:

• Neglect the needs of their children.
• Spend money on drugs instead of household needs.
• Become involved in criminal activities that jeopardize their child’s health and safety.

These parents require more help than we can provide through any one person, system, or support. Cuyahoga County's Sobriety, Treatment, and Recovery Teams (START), links parents to people and services that work collaboratively to help a family overcome addiction.

When a pregnant mother or newborn tests positive during a toxicology screening, DCFS will connect the family with two key individuals: a child protection specialist to ensure the child’s safety, and a family advocate who will guide the parents through addiction treatment.

START advocates are a vital part of the program, having first-hand experience with the addiction treatment process. They bring both knowledge and hope, holding the parents’ hands throughout the case process. Initially, parents tend to trust advocates more than the regular child protection specialist, helping temper fear and skepticism of working with the agency.

Substance abuse referrals to the START program have climbed steadily as the nation’s opioid epidemic continues. In 2018 the County received 668 positive toxicology referrals, a six percent increase over the year before.