Drug Endangered Children
Purpose of Toolkit
This resource guide identifies national websites, online training opportunities, toolkits, and science-based information that may assist multidisciplinary teams responding to children affected by caregiver substance use, drug activity, unsafe drug environments, and related maltreatment. Many resources are relevant across disciplines and are intentionally repeated where they may support different professional roles.
Suggested Uses for MDTs
- Assign one DEC resource or brief training to review during an MDT meeting.
- Use National DEC materials to assess whether the community has a coordinated DEC response.
- Develop discipline-specific DEC onboarding resources for new MDT members.
- Cross-train MDT members on how caregiver substance use may affect child safety, trauma, disclosure, family functioning, and case decision-making.
- Review local protocols to clarify when and how information about possible drug endangerment is communicated across disciplines.
- Invite substance use treatment, public health, or DEC specialists to provide case-neutral education to the MDT. Invite to join DEC MDT.
Important Practice Note
Drug endangerment should be considered through a child-centered, trauma-informed, and multidisciplinary lens. The presence of caregiver substance use does not, by itself, describe the child’s individual experience or level of trauma. MDTs should consider the child’s safety, exposure to dangerous environments or substances, supervision, basic needs, violence, caregiver functioning, developmental needs, and access to appropriate medical and mental health assessment.
Access Additional DEC Resources
How to register to access additional DEC resources on Coalition Manager:
oregoncas.coalitionmanager.org/contactmanager/contact/publicregistration
View additional DEC resources on Coalition Manager:
oregoncas.coalitionmanager.org/resourcemanager/ResourceLibrary
After your account is approved, additional resources will be accessible under the following DEC categories: