Metsch L R, Rivers J E, Miller M, Bohs R, McCoy C B, Morrow C J, Bandstra E S, Jackson V, Gissen M
Comprehensive Drug Research Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA.
J Psychoactive Drugs. 1995 Jan-Mar;27(1):73-83. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1995.10471675.
Recent federal health financing and health care delivery programs have increased access to alcohol and other drug abuse treatment programs for low-income women, and have provided intervention and prevention services for their children and families. The Village South Families in Transition (FIT) in Miami, Florida, implemented a residential treatment program for women and their children that aims to decrease alcohol and other drug use, reduce reliance on social and health welfare systems, improve functioning in specific life-skill and vocational areas, improve parenting techniques and maternal/child relations, and provide intervention and prevention services for the clients' children in a safe and supportive environment. Program implementation required resolutions to numerous barriers, including securing a facility for women and children; recruiting, hiring and training of staff; establishing and maintaining community linkages; treatment considerations; balancing treatment versus evaluation/research; and critical decisions faced by treatment staff as they modify client-centered programs to incorporate gender-specific and family-centered programs.
