Posted: | January 29, 2013 03:57 PM |
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From: | Senator Michael L. Waugh |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Drug and Alcohol Training for Child Protective Service Workers |
I am introducing legislation amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. This legislation will direct the Department of Public Welfare to establish a basic training program for child protective services workers on drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. The program will help these personnel to better recognize the warning signs of these problems. According to the Joint State Government Commission, untreated drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are the most common factors among cases in the children and youth system. Some county agencies estimate that drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are involved in 70-80 percent of the cases currently in the system. A constituent brought this issue to my attention after her son died of a heroin overdose. Her son left behind a son, and she is now sharing custody of her grandson with the child’s mother, who is also apparently struggling with drug addiction, but refuses all offers of treatment. Through subsequent research, I discovered that this legislation is being introduced by Representative Gene DiGirolamo in the House of Representatives. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Greg Beckenbaugh in my office at 787-3817 or gbeckenbaugh@pasen.gov . |
Introduced as SB498