Methods: We report findings from an experimental study with 534 caretakers who are involved with public child welfare.  Subsequent to temporary custody, parents were randomly assigned to either a control (n=164) or experimental (n=368) condition.  Parents in the control group received traditional substance abuse services.  Parents in the experimental group received traditional services plus the services of a Recovery Coach.  The Recovery Coaches assist parents with obtaining needed treatment services and in negotiating departmental and judicial requirements associated with drug recovery and concurrent permanency planning.  The following measures are used to estimate engagement: (1) percent of clients receiving services, (2) time to first service, (3) service type, and (4) service duration.

Results:  Parents in the experimental group were more likely to follow through with the initial referral for treatment (42% vs. 35%).  The time to service was also significantly shorter for the experimental group.  Regarding service type, parents in the experimental condition were more likely to receive detoxification, outpatient and intensive outpatient services.  Although not statistically significant, parents in the experimental group generally received services for longer periods of time.

Implications for practice:  Families in the child welfare system encounter multiple barriers the timely provision of substance abuse services.  Consequently, the children experience longer stays in foster care and parents experience an increased risk of the terminating of parental rights.  The results of this study indicate that use of Recovery Coaches is associated with (1) higher rates of service access and (2) a more timely access to such services.