More specifically, the Relational Psychotherapy Mother's Group in New Haven, Connecticut has found that mothers receiving this service were at lower risk for maltreating their children, reported higher levels of involvement with their children and greater parental satisfaction compared to mothers who did not receive this service. The experience in Connecticut is that substance abuse can and should be identified by the child protection system. The challenge lies in developing and maintaining working partnerships between the child protection system and the substance abuse treatment system and in developing, implementing and funding effective treatment and prevention programs. Thank you again for giving Connecticut the opportunity to testify before you today on this important and timely topic. I am Dr. Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Treatment does work.
But today's traditional treatment settings work better for some than others. Let me tell you a story about Cathy J. She has had periodic episodes of excessive drinking over the past few years, and especially so in the past six months since separating from her abusive husband. Depression disturbs her sleep and precipitates episodes of rage, usually directed at her son, Jack. Jack, who used to be a good student, is now failing in school. Cathy is determined to make things better, but she needs help.