Breaking the Cycle: Equipping Officers to Support Children from Families Impacted by Addiction
Every day, law enforcement professionals encounter children affected by substance use in their homes—during domestic calls, arrests, or welfare checks. Without trauma-informed training, these interactions can unintentionally cause further harm. NACoA’s Law Enforcement Curriculum is designed to change that.
Why This Training Matters
Children growing up in families impacted by substance use disorders (SUD) face higher risks of trauma, mental health challenges, and future substance use. Law enforcement officers are often the first point of contact during crises, and how they engage with these children can shape their long-term outcomes and relationship with public safety institutions.
What the Curriculum Covers
NACoA’s Law Enforcement Curriculum is designed to build officers’ capacity to support children and families impacted by substance use. The training introduces foundational concepts in trauma-informed response, child development, de-escalation techniques, and officer well-being.
Officers learn how to:
Recognize the unique needs of children impacted by family substance use
Respond to crisis situations with compassion and professionalism
Connect families with appropriate community resources
Manage stress and strengthen personal resilience
Foster trust and safety in community relationships
Tailored to Your Department
Our curriculum is customizable to meet the specific size, structure, and priorities of your department. Whether you're training frontline officers, supervisors, or internal trainers, NACoA provides practical tools and support to ensure the training is relevant, sustainable, and impactful.
Sustainable Training Model
NACoA utilizes a train-the-trainer approach, equipping departments to deliver the curriculum internally for long-term sustainability. Our expert trainers offer evidence-based, real-world guidance adaptable to the unique needs of each department.
Why NACoA
With over 42 years of experience supporting children and families impacted by SUD, NACoA is a national leader in professional training across sectors. Our curriculum is research-informed, practical, and rooted in compassion—empowering law enforcement to break the intergenerational cycle of the chronic disease of addiction.
Additional Important Resources
If your department or unit is need of help, information or training opportunities from our NACoA team of experts,contact NACoA.
