An Educational Program for Residential Staff to Enhance Confidence in Supporting Substance Use Prevention and Reduction Among Foster Youth

Abstract

Background: Foster youth encounter various challenges such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which increase their prevalence of developing substance use disorders (SUDs). The importance of implementing trauma-informed care techniques and harm reduction approaches in residential settings for foster youth was highlighted. The literature emphasizes a clear need for residential staff and care partners to understand and apply trauma-informed strategies and harm reduction approaches. Implementing these evidence-based strategies while also enhancing foster youth’s protective factors can strengthen resiliency among foster youth, ultimately improving their overall well-being and life outcomes. The impact of stress and burnout among residential staff and care partners of foster youth is also addressed. An educational program for residential staff working with foster youth at-risk for or experiencing SUDs was developed and implemented to address current gaps in care. Methods: A descriptive single-group pretest-posttest approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, was used. Eight residential staff participated in a six-week educational program (one, 30–45-minute session each week for six weeks). Sessions included topics such as trauma-informed care (TIC), ACEs, harm reduction, protective factors, resiliency, leisure, sleep, coping skills interventions, and managing staff burnout. Results: Results found participants’ confidence levels increased when implementing TIC, harm reduction techniques, and providing youth with coping skills to utilize in the moment or to add to their repertoire. Conclusion: Foster youth have a higher prevalence of experiencing trauma, resulting in a risk for developing a SUD. Results indicate education on TIC, harm reduction approaches, and coping skills can increase residential staff’s immediate self-reported confidence when assisting youth. Successful integration and continued carryover of these approaches will require ongoing staff support to sustain the program and ensure it can be carried forward by future staff.