Addressing Substance Use and Recovery
Explore these resources for strategies to help families access substance use treatment and mental health services. Learn how to have sensitive conversations about substance use and offer non-judgmental support.
Mental Health
Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness.
Head Start Heals: Promoting Substance Use Recovery
These videos highlight trauma-informed strategies for supporting people in substance use recovery.
Talking to Children About Parental Substance Use
This Sesame Street in Communities webinar shares resources and strategies Head Start programs and staff can use to support children and families affected by addiction, in big and small ways.
Understanding Addiction and Substance Use Stigma: What You Can Do to Help
Supporting families through substance use and recovery is a Head Start priority. Learn about addiction and substance use stigma and how you can make a difference in your work.
Screening for Substance Use Disorders: Head Start Can Help
This resource will help Head Start staff learn more about screening tools available to identify substance use disorders. It includes important considerations for choosing a screening tool and guidance for conversations with families.
Impact of Substance Use on Children and Families
Learn about the effects of opioids on exposed infants and children. Find out how Head Start programs can support children and families impacted by opioid and other substance use disorders.
Head Start and the Opioid Crisis
Learn ways Head Start can support families impacted by substance use. Find out how programs collaborate with city and state agencies, doctors, and schools to create a network of resources for families.
Supporting Caregivers Affected by Substance Use Disorders
In this series of videos, learn ways Head Start can support families impacted by opioid and substance use. Find out how programs can support staff who may need help caring for themselves as they care for others.
Substance Use Disorders: Head Start Success Stories
In this series of videos, explore stories from three Head Start families affected by opioid and substance use. Discover how Head Start provided support on their journeys to recovery.
Addressing Substance Misuse Among Pregnant Women
This interactive activity will give home visitors a chance to walk through a home visit. Explore how to talk to an expectant family about substance misuse, including opioids.