Help, Hope, and Support for the Mat-Su Valley’s Drug Endangered Children
Contributed by Jess Bentley
Following concerns about children’s safety raised by law enforcement, the Office of Children’s Services, local advocacy agencies, and the community at large, an action planning team was developed in June 2020 to address how to best serve Mat-Su children. After determining that children who lived in drug environments were falling through the cracks, the Action Planning Team developed a coordinated effort to address abuse and neglect risks associated with legal or illegal substance misuse affecting children and families. The Team received consultation and support from the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children to help guide the development of this response. April 1, 2022, marked the formalization of Alaska’s first Drug Endangered Children’s Multidisciplinary Team, known as the Mat-Su Valley DEC MDT with 15 committed local agencies collaborating.
The MDT’s goal is to strengthen the system, so those affected are identified and receive appropriate services and interventions. This early intervention/referral not only benefits families in the short-term, but has long-term positive impacts on children and their families, first responders, and the community by helping to:
- Reduce trauma and break the generational cycles of substance misuse, abuse, and neglect.
- Improve community health and well-being.
- Allow law enforcement agencies to better fulfill their missions to protect and serve.
- Reduce the negative impact on our law enforcement agencies, individual officers, and partner organizations.
The Mat-Su DEC Alliance response team began receiving On-Scene Risk Assessments in August of 2022. Since then, over 96 assessments have been submitted. Participation in the program is 100% optional, so those families that accept services and work with a DEC Family Advocate are exercising their choice to do so. Narrowing the lens to an annual reflection: January 1st through December 31st, 2023, the DEC response team received 65 on-scene risk assessments for drug endangered children. 36 of the referred individuals accepted services with our program and that resulted in 35 new children receiving our support through this process. Our DEC MDT Family Advocates not only managed these new cases, but also maintained their support of participants and their family members within the period (cases that began in the previous quarters).
Program participants work with our Family Advocates toward recovery and take steps through different avenues available that include but are not limited to: accessing treatment programs, achieving and maintaining stable housing, attending support groups, returning to the workforce, and being reunited with their children. The four advocacy organizations partnering in this effort that provide connections to cultural healing and activities include Knik Tribe, Alaska Youth and Family Network, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, and Set Free Alaska.
The Mat-Su Valley, Alaska Alliance for Drug Endangered Children responds to children and families to provide help, hope, and support around substance use concerns impacting our future. April marks Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. On April 26th, the Mat-Su DEC Alliance will participate in a Community Carnival in partnership with R.O.C.K. Mat-Su where you can connect with members and learn more.
For more information about the Community Carnival, visit rockmatsu.org or email candrews@rockmatsu.org.
Mark your calendars on April 27th to join us in support by wearing red for National Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day. Please find and follow us for more details on the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Facebook page.