Supporting Parents in Their Recovery Journey
The road to substance use recovery can be challenging, especially for parents. But according to Susan Schneider, LCSW, director, Wheeler Community-Based Family Services, SAFE-Family Recovery (SAFE-FR) provides a place where individuals have a voice in their path to recovery.
Funded by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, SAFE-FR serves families in Region 1 (Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford), Region 4 (Hartford/Manchester) and Region 6 (New Britain/Meriden). Each team comprises seven staff, including three recovery support specialists, three Multidimensional Family Recovery (MDFR) specialists, and a program manager.
Schneider said this program provides opportunities for Wheeler’s team and parents to collaborate on strategies for identifying substance misuse, entering treatment, maintaining recovery gains, and more. “Our program is not about punishment or shame. It’s about teamwork,” she said.
SAFE-FR accepts referrals from DCF only and comprises three services:
Recovery Engagement Services (RES)
RES is a 30-minute appointment where individuals are engaged in a discussion around their substance use to determine if it is problematic. There are three types of screenings: an alcohol test, a urine drug test, and a brief set of questions to assess need. Together, these screenings determine if individuals might benefit from behavioral health services, particularly for substance use.
Multidimensional Family Recovery (MDFR)
MDFR is a six-month, family-based service delivered weekly in the home to help people access and maintain substance use and mental health treatment, strengthen relationships, and demonstrate the ability to provide a safe, healthy environment for children.
Recovery Management & Support (RMS)
RMS offers regular, in-person or telephone “check-ins” for six months after substance use treatment ends—even if individuals leave early. During a check-in, RMS staff will ask how individuals are doing and help them to set goals or manage urges to use substances. If a setback happens, the RMS team provides linkages to services, including substance use treatment and access to medication-assisted treatment. These conversations also encourage individuals to build a positive network of supportive relationships, seek safe housing, secure stable employment, and more.
Schneider said the program is especially attuned to understanding the root causes of substance misuse and motivating participants to stick with treatment. “Prior to this program, there were many parents who weren’t getting connected with the right treatment, or following intake, they dropped out,” she said. “Safe Family Recovery is designed to change this reality.
“We take a personalized approach to every person’s needs, and we remain flexible throughout this process,” she said. “If an individual needs substance use treatment, we assist with connecting them with treatment. If they need behavioral health support, we identify and assist with connecting them with that support. The key is to understand unique recovery needs, so that participants are ultimately more engaged in their own long-term recovery.”
Schneider added that what makes this program different is that all team members are committed to partnering with DCF through referral to service linkage and completion, to ensuring good collaboration and outcomes for families. Staff gain further knowledge and training from participation in consultation with the intervention model experts, one to two times per week, and conferring with one another on the individualized needs of patients.
Success, however, is not a guarantee, and Schneider and her team readily admit that individuals don’t always succeed on their first time around. “Parents sometimes aren’t ready, so we plant the seed, and they come back to us when they are,” she said. “Recovery can be complicated. But we are always there to support them along the way.”
