You are cordially invited to attend the second in a four-part series on substance abuse disorders and the opioid epidemic:
• Target Audience: CASA/GAL Staff and Volunteer Advocates
• Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 (Register)
• Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
• Please note: this is the second in a four-part webinar series on substance abuse and opioids scheduled for 2020.

While substance abuse is not a new phenomenon, widespread addiction to opioids has been making headlines across the country. Law enforcement, public health officials, and policy makers are working to stem the tide of overdose deaths and hold accountable those responsible for this nationwide public health crisis. Often overlooked are the tens of thousands of children who are coming into foster care every year as a result of the opioid crisis. Courts are struggling to cope with the influx of cases. Child welfare officials are managing record caseloads and budget shortages.

The National CASA/GAL Association for Children is hosting a webinar on substance abuse as a disorder. The goal of this training is to increase understanding of substance use disorder (SUD) on children who have experienced abuse or neglect and their families so that they are served with a greater amount of knowledge and skill by CASA/GAL volunteers. Topics to be covered include:
• SUD diagnoses and types of treatment
• Impact on children and families
• Family-centered approach to treatment

By participating in this training, attendees will:
• Become more familiar with substance abuse as a disorder and available treatments
• Gain knowledge around the impact of SUD on children and families
• Begin to learn about you can advocate for a family-centered approach

Presenter’s bio:
Sarah Fox, MA
Ms. Fox is a Program Associate for the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare at Children and Family Futures. She assists with research and evaluation, technical assistance, and the preparation of products for a national audience.
Ms. Fox has over 10 years of extensive experience working in direct clinical practice serving individuals and families with specific settings to include private practice, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, inpatient substance use treatment, state funded community case management services and group living homes, active duty military, forensics, neuroscience research, and diagnostics.

Ms. Fox has experience as an Associate Regional Director, Clinical Director, primary therapist and case manager for children, adolescents and adults. She received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston, Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Winthrop University.