The State of Ohio is facing an unprecedented opioid epidemic which has far reaching effects. Policies and programs are urgently needed to effectively address this crisis. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is hosting a statewide meeting on February 14, 2017 called, “Ideas in Motion – Fighting Ohio’s Drug Epidemic” (Mike DeWine, Ohio Attorney General, 2017).  He is bringing a variety of service providers, public safety officials, community leaders, the medical community and other citizens interested in collaborating strategies to respond to the current crisis.

Utilizing a qualitative design and ethnographic approach, this study aims to explore the lived experiences of foster families who are caring for children who were neglected, abused or abandoned by parents or primary caregivers addicted to opioids in an effort to develop policies and programs needed to support these children as they heal and move forward.

This research project will be carried out by collaboration with a foster care agency. The agency will locate ten foster families who are interested in being interviewed for this purpose. Upon consent of the IRB and all necessary parties, this researcher will interview each family in depth about their lived experiences with these children. This researcher will also observe these children in their natural environments, and if permitted, interview their teachers to learn about how their academics and education are being impacted by their experiences. Finally, this researcher proposes to interview the children directly to ask them what they think they need to feel supported on their healing journey.

When developing policies and procedures, it is crucial to seek input from the people who are directly impacted. By interviewing these families and children directly, valuable information will be gained to contribute to the ongoing dialogue in the State of Ohio concerning the necessary strategies to address the opioid epidemic. We are in unchartered territory, and novel ideas are needed to respond in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Upon compilation of this information, it is this researcher’s goal to share the data with policymakers in the State of Ohio for valuable input as new policies and programs are created to most effectively benefit these children and families.

Source:

Mike DeWine, Ohio Attorney General. (2017). Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to host statewide meeting on heroin epidemic. Retrieved from: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/February-2017/Ohio-Attorney-General-Mike-DeWine-to-Host-Statewid