After Family Treatment Drug Court: Maternal, Infant, and Permanency Outcomes.

SUBSTANCE abuse in pregnancy; CHILD Behavior Checklist; CHILD abuse; CHILD welfare; CHILDREN of prenatal substance abuse; COURTS; PSYCHOLOGICAL distress; FOSTER home care; INFANT development; INTERVIEWING; LIFE skills; LONGITUDINAL method; EVALUATION of medical care; MENTAL health; MOTHERHOOD; PARENTING; PREGNANCY; PSYCHOLOGICAL tests; SCALE analysis (Psychology); STATISTICAL hypothesis testing; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; EDUCATIONAL attainment; ATTITUDES of mothers; THERAPEUTICS

This study reports on maternal functioning, infant developmental, and permanency outcomes for 52 families following maternal participation in a family treatment drug court (FTDC) for perinatal substance users. Although the majority of families experienced positive child welfare outcomes, over time, maternal functioning deteriorated and infant developmental concerns were identified. Even when promising interventions like FTDC are used, long-term needs of families affected by perinatal substance use need to be considered and addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]