POSC Resources for Providers
The following plenary sessions were from the 2022-2023 National Center for Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW) Policy Academy and have helpful information that all providers working with families affected by substance use should be familiar with:
Screening, Assessing, and Treating Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders: Dr. Mishka Terplan discusses his research and clinical work with pregnant women facing substance use disorders (SUDs). The session explores screening for SUDs during pregnancy, engaging women in treatment, and providing patient- and family-centered postpartum care.
Newborns Exposed to Substances: Understanding Their Needs and Supporting Their Caregivers: Dr. Stephen Patrick shares information about meeting the needs of infants with prenatal substance exposure and what health care for these children should include. He also discusses Firefly, a program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to reduce the toll the opioid crisis takes on pregnant/postpartum women and their infants.
Common Developmental Trajectories of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Dr. Douglas White describes the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neurodevelopment, traces the brain-based developmental and behavioral manifestations of prenatal alcohol-related brain injury across childhood and adolescence, and highlights similarities and differences between other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism and ADHD.
Where can I find a POSC template?
- Hospitals: Orange County Sample Hospital POSC Form (created by OC Social Services Agency)
- Prenatal Providers: Orange County Sample Prenatal POSC Form (created by Families Together of Orange County)


For more information:
- Building a Plan of Safe Care in the Medical Setting
- What is a Plan of Safe Care (POSC)?
- Who could benefit from a Plan of Safe Care?
- Who develops and adds to the POSC?
- Where can I find a POSC template?
- Which families require a POSC?
- When is a report to Social Services required?
- How do I determine if safety risks exist?
- 5 Ways to Improve Care Using Plans of Safe Care
- Implement Universal Screening
- Take a Family-Centered Approach
- Disrupt Stigma
- Plan for Transitions/Discharge Planning
- Advance Equity and Inclusion
Referrals for POSC Support
Health care providers can refer families to HCA Community & Nursing Services (Pregnant and Parenting Support Programs; 714-834-7747) to assist with the POSC by providing coordination, follow-up and linkages.
