Prenatally Drug-Exposed Children in Out-of-Home Care: Are We Looking at the Whole Picture?

• NCJ Number: 161005
• Journal: Child Welfare Volume: 75 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1996) Pages: 19-34
• Author(s): E J Franck
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Publicity on children exposed prenatally to drugs has fostered tremendous concern about their cognitive and behavioral development; this concern is reflected in the out-of-home care system where the number of children from drug-involved families has increased dramatically.

Abstract

The literature indicates conflicting views on the effects of prenatal exposure to drugs. Although most authors qualify their remarks by noting the lack of longitudinal studies and confounding factors of polydrug use and environment, many studies present a pessimistic view of the developmental prognosis for children exposed prenatally to drugs, especially children exposed to cocaine. Efforts of child welfare professionals to direct attention and services to children exposed prenatally to drugs are influenced by the perception that these children are at greater risk than other children. Children entering foster care are presenting more challenges than ever before to caregivers and professionals, and the fastest growing segment of this population is under 5 or 6 years of age. In 1991, in response to popular and professional media focus on children exposed prenatally to drugs and to expressed concerns of foster parents, case workers, and medical staff, an early intervention pilot project was initiated at a child care agency in New York City. All children under 3 years of age were developmentally screened by a certified social worker on a periodic basis to determine whether referral for a full developmental evaluation was indicated. After 18 months of project operation, 161 children had been screened and 100 were referred for evaluation. Findings of the early intervention pilot project and the literature review suggest the need to research developmental risk factors, interventions, and outcomes for all children in out-of-home care, including but not limited to children exposed prenatally to drugs. 30 references and 1 table