Event Summary

On December 9, AEI hosted an event exploring innovative treatments for parental addiction, particularly within the child welfare system.

Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Alex Jutca presented on child welfare practice regarding parents with substance use disorder (SUD) in Allegheny County, where the majority of investigations and the eventual removal of children are cases involving opioids. He also discussed the need for greater innovation in SUD treatment and the recent medical advance of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for treating addiction. A panel discussion followed, in which AEI’s Sally Satel touched on the barriers that drugs like Ozempic face in effectively treating addiction and the JCCA’s Ronald E. Richter described what it would look like for the broader child welfare and family court system to adopt new treatment options.

The event concluded with a Q&A.

—Abby Wallen

Event Description

The opioid crisis has had a devastating effect on families, with parental addiction driving high rates of family involvement with the child welfare system. How can recent innovations in addiction treatment offer a pathway toward family stability and recovery?

Join AEI’s Naomi Schaefer Riley for a discussion with Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Alex Jutca, who will present innovative treatments—including the promising role of GLP-1 receptor agonists—being explored to support parents in recovery. The event will feature a panel with AEI’s Sally Satel and JCCA’s Ronald E. Richter, who will address the broader implications of these treatments for addiction care and child welfare policy.

Agenda

12:45 p.m.
Registration Opens

1:00 p.m.
Opening Remarks:
Naomi Schaefer Riley, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

1:05 p.m.
Presentation:
Alex Jutca, Director, Office of Analytics, Technology and Planning, Allegheny County Department of Human Services

1:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Alex Jutca, Director, Office of Analytics, Technology and Planning, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Ronald E. Richter, CEO, JCCA
Sally Satel, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Moderator:
Naomi Schaefer Riley, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

2:15 p.m.
Q&A

2:30 p.m.
Adjournment