In our third and final report on how heroin has impacted the Clark County community, Pam Meermans, Deputy Director of Clark County Department of Job and Family Services provided some insight on the role of her agency regarding the children affected by family members who become involved with illegal drugs.

Meermans explained that a few years ago the Springfield Regional Medical Center began a screening process for all expectant mothers when they made their first contact with the health facility. In the past the screening only took place if drug use was suspected. The Center also screens any mother who is about to deliver if use of illegal substances is suspected.

The program has seen a dramatic increase in testing with 105 tests done in 2014 and 58 completed as of August 31st of this year. Meermans noted that in the past, some testing following a birth would take up to a week to process allowing babies to go home without final results.

If babies are found to be positive during testing, the agency serving Clark County may look at three possible interventions. Removal of the newborn at birth for placement in foster care—this is traumatic for the infant during what is to be a bonding period with caregivers and a parent. A preferred option is to place the infant with a relative which is called a “kinship”placement. The most desired option is to allow the infant to return home with their mother to a situation where 24 hour supervision is provided within a family setting which includes support services from Job and Family Services.

Meermans explained that the Crisis Response Team consisting of several members of the department meet to evaluate the best possible outcome for the child. This year the team has met an estimated 80 times with 58 actions taken with the majority involving the parents.

Heroin is a statewide problem in Ohio and agencies like the Clark County Job and Family Services must become involved when it is determined that a child’s safety is at risk.

The agency often depends on law enforcement officers to determine when to call for assistance where children are involved. The first responders are seasoned veterans when it comes to understanding when conditions warrant a removal. Law enforcement has the ability to remove children and place them in the care of relatives if needed at the time of an encounter. Job and Family Services also makes a site visit to the children to assure that the placement is appropriate.

Drug users may elect to leave their children home alone while they make their connection with their dealer. Neighbors often recognize this activity and will contact law enforcement for a well child check at the home. When JFS becomes involved, placement outside the home is a matter for the courts. In the case of law enforcement, the decision can be made by the officers.

Assistance involving a child must be provided by agencies 24 hours a day, 365 days per year without exception. The State of Ohio has mandated this service by law.

Teachers are mandated reporters. If they suspect that a child has an active safety threat, they are required to report to law enforcement or children’s services.

The majority of parents who find their children removed to alternative care are either substance abusers or suffer from a mental illness. Many experience multiple problems that might include a lack of resources or education on how to seek services.

At any given time, Meermans stated that there are between 105 and 115 cases in which JFS has custody of children. It is estimated that over 700 are in the system receiving services with 550 of those either in their own home or in a kinship placement. The estimate for those who have family members involved with drugs is around 60 percent.

As community members it is often difficult to know if we should become involved or simply look the other way when drug abuse is suspected. In most cases you may never realize that adults are addicted to heroin unless you are in close contact with them.

Things to watch for in your neighborhood would be children home alone at night or for extended periods of time. Meermans stated that there is “no legal age at which a child can be left alone”. She noted that when a child reaches age 12, parents and guardians tend to evaluate whether or not the child is mature enough to be left home alone for short periods of time such as a quick trip to the corner store or a short time after school.

Age is not a concern when looking at your neighborhood children who are home alone. You should consider how long and how frequently children are left alone. You should also look for patterns and make notes in case you do elect to contact officials.

On average JFS receives 4,000 calls each year. If you have seen drug activity or suspect that very young children are being left alone without adult supervision, you can contact the Clark County Sheriff or your local law enforcement department such as the Enon Police Department and request a well child check. You do not need to give your name if that makes you uncomfortable. As always, it is the call that is not made that often leads to possible negative consequences for youngsters.

JFS does not become involved when a parent is sentenced to jail for drug use. Adults have the right to abuse substances but not to neglect their children. In many cases the parent will put their child into the care of a good friend or relative while incarcerated. In some cases foster care is the only option and JFS will become involved.

Once a parent is released, the child is returned to them from kinship care. In the case of foster care, the process is normally delayed giving the parent time to secure a place to live and resources to support the child. Reunification can take a period of time in this case.

Children have no voice in whether or not their loved one becomes addicted to heroin. They depend on adults in their community, friends at school and first responders to help them talk about what they are experiencing. If a child you know may be experiencing life with a substance abuser, make a call to the non-emergency 328-2560 line for the county sheriff.

If you suspect abuse or neglect of any kind, you need to make the call. They say that children and animals are the ones who suffer without a voice. If you see abuse, report it. Your one call could save an entire family.

Part 1 - Keeping the Secret of Heroin Use Jessica's Story

Part 2 - Heroin the Loss of Everything Shelby's Story

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
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