SERVICES

RIDGELINE RECOVERY, LLC

Child Services

Safeguarding Our Children: Why Ridgeline Recovery Supports Strong Families

At Ridgeline Recovery Columbus OH, we are far more than treating addiction and mental health in adults. We know the trickle-down affect of issues such as these, particularly on children. A parent who is grappling with an addiction or a mental health disorder can make for an unstable and unsafe home environment. In the worst-case scenarios, this could result in neglect or abuse and even child protective services getting involved.

The Impact of Addiction and Mental Health on Children

Increased Risk of Abuse and Neglect

Kids of parents who suffer an addiction or a mental health disorder are also more likely to have been subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. They too may be neglected as their parents deal with struggles of their own.

Exposure to Unhealthy Behaviors

Children learn by watching how the grownups in their lives behave. Growing up around addiction or mental health issues may have you thinking that this is just normal behavior, even making them more likely to occur amongst your kids later in life.

Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Kids who grow up amidst chaos are far more likely to have anxiety, depression and low self-esteem or act out. They may have difficulty bonding with others and finding ways to cope whenever they are faced with a stressful situation.

Ridgeline Recovery: Building Strong Families, Protecting Children

At Ridgeline Recovery, We understand the difference that strong families can make in creating a healthy environment for child growth. Which is why we treat the entire family unit and not just the individual stuck in addiction or suffering from a mental health disorder.

Here’s how Ridgeline Recovery supports strong families and protects children:

Family Therapy

One of the earliest steps taken by our experts in addiction treatments is organizing family therapy sessions; these are preparations to help heal past wounds, clear communication and provide what would be expected from a normal healthy coping mechanism. And this can be yield a childcare advantage for children.

Support Groups

Such support groups can offer education, community, and connection for succeeding families of friends fighting addiction or mental health struggles. This can often be a powerful message for families in and of itself.

Education and Awareness

Our family workshops and resources educate families about addiction and mental health challenges to support their loved one.

Promoting Healthy Boundaries

For example, we teach the family members what boundaries are and how to set healthy ones so they can be safe but maintain connection with their loved one who is still in addiction or struggling with mental health.

Building a Brighter Future for All

Ridgeline Recovery believes the best way to protect kids by attacking addiction and mental health challenges at the network stable; if we are able make useful adjustments in our families, our young children substantially gain. We know that our families are the core of a strong community and we will do all we can to contribute.

If you are struggling with addiction or a mental health disorder, and are concerned about the impact on your children, please reach out to Ridgeline Recovery today. We can help you heal and build a stronger, healthier family for the future.

Safeguarding Our Children: Understanding Child Services

Child services (child protective systems, children’s aid) is a governmental welfare service meant to assist those families needing support. First responders are a lifeline in protecting children from neglect, abuse and other types of harm.

What Do Child Services Do?

The primary functions of child services can be categorized into three main areas:

Investigation

When a report of child abuse or neglect is received, CPS has the right to investigate. This can include talking to the child, parents and possible witnesses.

Intervention

After they confirm child abuse or neglect, the next thing that social services does is intervene to protect a would-be abused child. This could mean removing the child from the home and placing him or her in foster care, or providing services to help a family address health conditions that led to abuse/neglect.

Prevention

In essence, child services also aims to prevent cases of child abuse and neglect through education, outreach programs as well that involve the two; community collaboration.

Who Works in Child Services?

Child services also work to prevent child abuse and neglect through education, outreach programs, and community collaboration.

Social workers

These positions may work alongside social workers, or specialize in areas such as child abuse investigations or forensic interviewing.

Child protective service specialists

They offer therapy and support services to the families who are involved with child protective agencies in order to address family dynamics while preventing further abuse or neglect.

Family therapists

In severe abuse or neglect cases, law enforcement may also be called to ensure the child is safe and possibly arrest whoever committed the act.

Law enforcement

But if you believe that a child is being maltreated then report it to the incompetent/diversion services at once! Contact your local child protective services agency or call the National Child Abuse Hotline at:

When to Contact Child Services

If you ever think or even simply suspect a child is being abused/neglected the correct action to take would be calling in your local DCFS. If you suspect abuse, call your local child protective services agency or the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. It's always better to err on the side of caution; a report can trigger an investigation and potentially save a child from harm.

Confidentiality

The agencies in charge of child services maintain confidentiality very seriously when it comes to the matters they deal with. The identifier will also take care to keep your identity and that of the child confidential or anonymized as far as feasibly possible.

What to Expect When You Report Abuse

When you make a report to child services, they will ask you for details about the child and the suspected abuse or neglect. They will then launch an investigation, which may include interviewing you, the child, and any potential witnesses. It's important to be cooperative and provide as much information as possible.

The Importance of Child Services

Whomever you speak to when making a report, will ask you questions about the child and what abuse or neglect they are suffering from. If they decide it is serious enough, an investigation will be started that may involve interviewing you and the child as well as any other witnesses. You should be helpful and share as much information with others.

Additional Resources

Remember

Every child deserves to feel safe and loved. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please report it.

Contact us today

Learn more about how Child Service can help you on your journey to lasting recovery.

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