Sarah Font on Substance-Exposed Infants in the US

The dramatic rise in substance use disorders over the past decade has altered—indeed, destroyed—many American lives, but how does this epidemic affect children? And who is ensuring their safety?This week, Naomi and Ian are joined by Sarah Font, child welfare researcher and associate professor of sociology and public policy at Penn State, to discuss a recent published statement Sarah wrote on behalf of AEI’s child welfare working group. “The US Is Failing Substance-Exposed Infants” critiques policies which limit Child Protective Services’ responsibility to aid substance-exposed infants, and how voluntary “Plans of Safe Care” put in place by some states are insufficient to address the dilemma. In this episode, Sarah details the effects of drug exposure in infants, whether and how positive toxicology screens in new mothers and infants are reported, and what practices in medicine and child protection need to change in order to prioritize the well-being of children. Resources-The US Is Failing Substance-Exposed Infants | Sarah Font et al.-The US Is Failing Infants Exposed to Drugs and Alcohol | Naomi Schaefer Riley and Sarah FontShow Notes-0:01:00 | How should we understand drug exposure among infants?-0:01:34 | What are the dangers to children of substance exposure in utero and when a child is under the supervision of parents who are addicted?-0:03:28 | Why is there a reduction in foster care placements when there is an increase in reported abuse?-0:04:44 | What are plans of safe care intended to accomplish?-0:06:29 | What was the rationale behind Mass General Brigham’s new policy on substance abuse reporting? -0:09:16 | How have we lost our focus regarding the effects of drug policy on children?-0:11:44 | Is the normalization of drug use working as a gateway to children’s drug exposure?-0:13:34 | What are some policy changes that should be considered by states and medical institutions? -0:16:11 | What states or localities can we point to as models for others to follow?-0:16:57 | What happens when hospitals contact CPS? -0:19:00 | What prevention strategies exist?