An evidenced-based social work model to help parents struggling with substance use stay connected to their children is offering hope to Ohio counties ravaged by the opioid epidemic.

A new survey of parents in predominantly Appalachian Ohio counties finds most had positive experiences with Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma or "START."

Erin Mills, Ohio START family peer mentor for Summit County Children's Services, said the program uses a trauma-informed approach to help parents forge healthy relationships with their children, while voluntarily agreeing to enter a recovery program.

"It's an amazing tool within the community as we are facing this opioid epidemic," Mills asserted. "We have tons of children who are being displaced due to addiction issues."

According to the survey, many parents gave credit to Ohio START for helping them keep custody of or reunite with their children, and say their experiences led to a more positive perception of child protective services. According to 2022 state data, more than 5,000 residents died from drug overdoses and the majority of the deaths involved opioids.

Jen McClellan, Ohio START regional manager for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, explained substance abuse in the home increases the odds of child abuse and neglect but pointed to research which shows removing children from their home and placing them in foster care can cause mental distress and in some cases, lead to worse outcomes.

She believes the program's success is driven by its use of peer mentors and wraparound services aimed at keeping parents and kids together safely.

"We use more intense practices, the family peer mentor is paired with a caseworker who serves the families together," McClellan explained. "And they see their families much more frequently than in a traditional Children's Services case."

Jessica Okolish, Ohio START family peer mentor for Summit County Children's Services, said the intensity and speed of recovery services to participating families can help set in motion positive changes, noting without the START network, parents could wait months for a bed in a recovery program.

"Another big thing is recovery coaches having a seat at the table to show the positive impact of peer support and that it works. I think Summit County has proven that." Okolish reported.

Most survey participants said the shared lived experience between family peer mentors and parents helped established trust and made a difference overcoming resistance in working with child protective services.

Pennsylvania is facing what children's advocacy groups call a historic child care crisis, leaving thousands of young children without access to early learning programs.

A new report estimates Pennsylvania loses $6.65 billion annually when families do not have child care and preschool options.

Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said the report examines the policies on child care and pre-K, and highlights workforce challenges affecting many families with young children.

"Both in terms of parents and families in the workforce, and the need for child care to be able for parents to work," King outlined. "We know in the report, just over 70% of families with children currently have both parents or caregivers in the workforce."

In his latest budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro addresses some of the workforce challenges with a $17.7 million boost to early childhood education. $15 million is proposed for Pre-K Counts and $2.7 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance, investments he said are crucial for working parents' economic stability.

King pointed out Pennsylvania child care workers earn just over $15 an hour, or less than many retail jobs, and half of pre-K programs are delivered through child care centers. But some centers struggle to attract and keep qualified staff.

King observed the wage gap leaves some centers with not enough revenue to pay competitive salaries and keep care affordable.

"That's where we've seen there's been quite an impact since the pandemic, with quite a few programs that have actually closed their doors," King noted. "Over 600 child care providers have been lost since right before the pandemic. So, I think you're seeing a lot of those businesses again in that untenable situation."

The report pointed out pre-K teachers in Pennsylvania earn annual salaries about half those of kindergarten teachers. One recommendation is to provide pay for pre-K teachers on a par with elementary school educators.

Advocates for children in New Hampshire said the state needs elected officials who will put kids' futures first.

With biennial budget negotiations to begin next year, they said access to quality early education, school meals and services are all on the line this election.

Megan Brabec, New Hampshire state manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said children cannot vote but they are on the ballot.

"It's really important that we have Senators and representatives that are aware of these issues," Brabec stressed. "That are prioritizing these issues and recognize the role for government in addressing these issues."

Brabec pointed out with child care for two children younger than five now topping $30,000 a year, too many children are forced to go without the early education known to improve their long-term outcomes.

A bipartisan mix of candidates is offering solutions, including the establishment of universal Pre-K to ensure all kids start kindergarten on the same footing. Others want to simplify eligibility for free or reduced-price meals using Medicaid data or create a state fund to finance early educator recruitment and retention.

Ella Bender, a child advocate and student at the University of New Hampshire, has been registering voters and encouraging them to think of future generations.

"We want students to know that the power is in their hands to vote for officials in the state of New Hampshire that are going to put children's needs first," Bender emphasized.

Bender argued every child in New Hampshire deserves a quality education and to have their basic needs met.

A recent Save the Children Action Network survey found a majority of likely voters across the United States feel more favorable about a political candidate who supports greater investments in child care or programs to relieve food insecurity.

A federal pilot program distributing diapers to Massachusetts families in need is expanding.

The program has already distributed more than two million diapers, along with wipes and other supplies, to roughly 2,500 children over the past year.

Melissa White, director of programs for the Valley Opportunity Council in Hampden County, said the program is especially helpful for newly homeless and migrant families.

"It's one less thing you have to think of with all the stressors of, 'I don't even know where I am, so I don't know where to get the diapers, or how to get there, or how I'm going to afford all those things,'" White explained.

White is thrilled federal funds will support the diaper program for another year. More than one-third of Massachusetts families said they cannot afford enough diapers for their children.

Community action agencies distributing the diapers said they are operating at capacity with growing waitlists. Many parents said they cannot leave their infants at child care without providing diapers.

Lisa Smith, executive director of Neighbors in Need in Lawrence, said she has seen the stress it causes for the hundreds of families they serve.

"There is a direct economic correlation that families need diapers so they can go to work, utilize day care," Smith pointed out. "There are so many social and emotional reasons to why this program is important."

Smith noted the diapers help families stretch their dollars a bit further to help meet their basic needs. WIC and SNAP funds cannot be used for diaper purchases.

Advocates hope to make the diaper program permanent in Massachusetts.

Joe Diamond, executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, a coalition of more than twenty community action agencies, said proposed legislation would create a state diaper fund to improve families' financial security and well-being.

"Our goal is to help people address their fundamental needs," Diamond emphasized. "So they can focus on the kind of training and education that's necessary to continue to get employment or better employment."

Diamond added the association is working with Children's Health Watch in Boston to gather data on the diaper program's effects. Studies show a lack of diapers for their babies as the number one predictor of postpartum depression in new mothers.