Training child welfare professionals to better support families with substance use issues
Official title: Equipping social workers on the front line: The child welfare and addiction specialist fellowship program
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11015897 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping child welfare workers get better at spotting and dealing with alcohol and substance use issues in caregivers, so they can better support children in need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $233,773 |
| NIH project number | 5R25DA058484-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015897 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are child welfare professionals who have completed Virginia Commonwealth University's Title IV-E child welfare program.
✕Less likely to help
Children and families not involved in the child welfare system or those whose caregivers do not have substance use issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the training of child welfare professionals to better identify and address alcohol and other substance use disorders (AOSUDs) among caregivers. The program will recruit 30 alumni from Virginia Commonwealth University's child welfare program for a two-year specialized training that includes clinical supervision and tele-education. By improving the skills and confidence of these professionals, the project aims to reduce the risk of maltreatment and improve outcomes for children involved in welfare cases. The training will also explore barriers and facilitators to implementing this specialized education in child welfare settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved identification and treatment of substance use disorders in caregivers, ultimately enhancing the safety and well-being of children in welfare systems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that enhanced training for child welfare professionals can lead to better outcomes for families, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chartier, Karen G. — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Chartier, Karen G.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.