By Addiction Policy Forum
Addiction Policy Forum Releases
“Children Impacted by Addiction: A Toolkit for Educators” New toolkit to help children impacted by parental substance use disorder
Washington, DC — Today Addiction Policy Forum, in collaboration with Addiction Policy Leadership Action Network (APLAN) and the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA)) released Children Impacted by Addiction: A Toolkit for Educators.
“I know firsthand the impact of parental substance use disorder, challenges that far too many children today are facing which often includes trauma, instability, and neglect,” says Jessica Hulsey Nickel, president and CEO of Addiction Policy Forum. “A Toolkit for Educators is a roadmap for teachers, administrators and policymakers to utilize to help children impacted by addiction.”
“The teacher is a second parent,” says Sis Wenger president and CEO of National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA). “Most want to help but don’t have the tools and skills to deal effectively with a child’s emotions related to addiction in the family.”
Parental substance use can turn into difficulties at school for their children. Because of the unique relationship between teachers and students, the Toolkit for Educators offers evidence-based suggestions for helping students impacted by substance use disorders. Often, children impacted are traumatized and forgotten, this toolkit provides educators with lessons, do’s and don’ts if a child reaches out for help, teaching the seven “Cs”, and other resources. A Toolkit for Educators helps students better understand the disease of addiction through handouts on important facts, the seven “Cs,” question and answers about addiction, and information on people who can help. With these suggestions, educators can intervene and assist when a student is impacted by addiction.
About Addiction Policy Forum
Addiction Policy Forum is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2015 as a diverse partnership of organizations, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to working together to elevate awareness around addiction, and to improve programs and policy through a comprehensive response that includes prevention, treatment, recovery, and criminal justice reform. Jessica Hulsey Nickel, whose own family was devastated by addiction, is the founder of a coalition of 1,700 families impacted by substance use disorders and is available for further explanation and interviews by media.
More information on our mission and projects is available at http://addictionpolicy.org.
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Addiction Policy Forum
202.969.8879 ext 727
Addiction Policy Forum is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Our national headquarters is located in Washington, DC with resources and services in every state.