Multigenerational Approaches to Fostering Children's Health and Well-Being

The opioid crisis is especially prevalent in rural and economically disadvantaged communities where poverty is associated with poor physical and mental wellbeing, health access is limited, opioid prescription rates are higher, and treatment programs are few. Children are one of the most vulnerable populations caught in this public health crisis, as a growing number are sent to live with other relatives or placed in foster care following the death of a parent or a parent's inability to continue as a primary caretaker while in recovery. Additionally, health care systems around the country have seen a dramatic increase in babies who are born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. All children affected by the opioid crisis, whether born with withdrawal symptoms or struggling as an older child surrounded by uncertainty, need dedicated attention, likely including specialized services, to achieve optimal levels of health and well-being. Unfortunately, because so many resources directed to the crises have been dedicated to the immediate and long-term needs of people who have overdosed, children often become a forgotten population. In response to this need, the Forum for Children's Well-Being convened a workshop in June 2019 on Fostering Children's Physical, Developmental and Social/Behavioral Health in the Face of the Opioid Crisis. The goal of the workshop was to explore multigenerational approaches and policy strategies to promote health and well-being, using the opioid crisis as a case study. Multigenerational approaches and policy strategies that are successful in fostering children's health in this crisis may be adaptable in the future. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop.