Our Impact
Since our founding in 2003, the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (NADEC) has worked tirelessly to protect children affected by substance misuse and drug activity. While it’s impossible to quantify the total number of children we’ve reached over the years, we’re proud to share the measurable results of our efforts from the past year and highlight the ongoing activities that drive our mission forward.
Grants
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)'s Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (OAYI) Grant
Addresses the opioid and substance use crisis, specifically in the Mat-Su Borough in Alaska. NADEC formed an Overdose Review team and also assisted with the provision of DEC Crisis Bags for distribution to children experiencing trauma in need of comfort and support.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)'s Bluebird Project: Providing hope through Virtual Reality Grant
Improving the quality of interactions between family and professions through an advanced in-person curriculum and an interactive, emotional virtual reality scenario allowing professionals to walk through real-life situations and learn from the child’s perspective how to better handle drug-endangered children and their families.
Training & Certifications
2024 Training Summary
6,483 professionals attended 94 training sessions in 2024 to learn how to identify and support DEC children. A total of 38 new DEC Certified Trainers were trained.
Attendees were asked to rank their knowledge before and after training on a scale of 1-5. Before training avg. score was 3.00, and post-training score was 4.52.
The Top 3 drugs impacting communities were identified via the information provided on 1,814 Pre-Training surveys. The results showed that Alcohol, Fentanyl and Marijuana were the top offenders.
Partners, State Partnerships & Contracts
NADEC's Your Impact - Bringing Help, Hope, Support Program
This training program was developed in partnership with and funded by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Tennessee DEC Alliance. This hands on, interactive training focuses on how professionals have opportunities to identify and intervene as well as provide positive impacts to children and families. The training is now offered nationwide.
State of Oregon
NADEC began its contract with the state of Oregon in 2024 to provide 6 in-person training sessions and support related to drug endangered children, in collaboration with state legislation.
Eric Nation worked closely with Senator Tim Knopp and his legislative team to shape and support House Bill 4002 and its relationship to Measure 110 and House Bill 5204, with great success.
COSSUP Funded Sub-awards
We have been fortunate to be included in others’ COSSUP funded grants as sub-awardees.
This had led to significant involvement with programs in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Alaska.
Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire
NADEC is proud to partner on this pivitol study—led by Dr. Kimberly Mitchell and Dr. Jennifer O'Brien—examining the long-term impacts of growing up in homes affected by substance use disorder (SUD). UNH is leading national data collection by surveying young adults who experienced SUD in their childhood homes. The study explores childhood victimization, system involvement, resilience, and long-term outcomes like health, substance use, and economic stability.
Findings will not only directly inform NADEC’s training and advocacy efforts, but also contribute to a deeper understanding of the long-term effects of SUD on youth and help to shape evidence-based policies and community interventions that better support children and families affected by substance use.
The Eluna Resource Center
We are partnering with The Eluna Resource Center on the development of Tips & Scripts for Supporting Youth During a Traumatic Event—a trauma-informed infographic designed for first responders, educators, caregivers, and support professionals. This easy-to-use tool offers practical guidance for responding to children during and immediately after traumatic experiences.
Together, we're also developing the Ages and Stages Microcourse, which will provide insights and strategies for supporting children at different developmental levels in trauma-sensitive, resilience-building ways, to help improve the lives of children and families affected by trauma.
Worcester County, Massachusetts
We are providing comprehensive support to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. A Community Readiness Survey was completed with respondents from every city within the county. Multiple trainings have taken place virtually, and handout materials have been created and adapted for Worcester County.
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
We are assisting the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. The Lackawanna County DEC Alliance has been established and meeting regularly. Subcommittees have been set and plans for their work and efforts are in motion. Virtual and in-person trainings have taken place with plans for additional trainings to be completed in 2025.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
This initiative focuses on training on issues related to drug-endangered children, ensuring that professionals in various fields are well-equipped to recognize and address opioid, stimulant, and substance abuse challenges.
Palmer Police Department, Alaska
We are assisting as they develop a coordinated response to adequately addresses the needs of Drug-Endangered Children and their parents/caregivers. The Mat-Su Valley DEC Alliance has been established since 2019.
Multiple virtual and in-person trainings have taken place including the two Training of Trainers courses which allow for sustainability for DEC Alliance to continue spreading awareness throughout the Mat-Su Borough.
Tribal Justice Training and Technical Assistance Program (TRASM) Grant -
with Fox Valley Technical College
We are providing training and technical assistance as part of their Tribal Justice Training and Technical Assistance Program (TRASM) Grant.
We have provided virtual trainings and technical assistance to attendees across the United States enhancing tribal communities' ability to support families and children impacted by substance misuse.