State Strategies to Meet the Needs of Young Children and Families Affected by the Opioid Crisis

Resource Type

As states develop and implement strategies to combat the current epidemic of opioid use disorder (OUD), many are focusing on whole-family prevention and treatment approaches. Evidence shows that providing parents with supports that help them care for their families and provide children with services and supports for their developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional needs can help mitigate the long-term impacts of OUD. This report highlights effective strategies by Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Virginia to support families impacted by OUD including:

  • Improve access to care for at-risk children and parents/caregivers
  • Expand services, provider capacity, and benefit options
  • Implement family-focused and trauma-informed care
  • Align and maximize resources across systems by sharing data and leveraging diverse program funding