Welfare Reform for Addiction Professionals

What Information Does This Course Provide?

Module One—(10 minutes) is an introduction to the course and provides background information about the relationships between substance abuse and welfare participation, the complex needs of clients in both systems, important concepts that will be explored in further modules, and a look at the four independent timetables related to welfare reform, child welfare, child development, and treatment.

Module Two—(25 minutes) provides information that addiction treatment professionals need to know about working with clients who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). This includes the history and effectiveness of welfare reform, the roles of addiction treatment professionals in welfare reform, Federal requirements of the TANF program, tips to learn how your State has implemented the Federal requirements, and a system to help you track your clients' progress through the welfare reform system.

Module Three—(25 minutes) walks treatment professionals through six important issues that they are likely to encounter when working with clients in the welfare system. The names of these sections are: See the Bigger Picture, See the Addicted Parent, Give Children a Voice, Work With Other System Requirements, Carefully Update Service Plans, and Teach About Substance Abuse.