(WASHINGTON, DC)
Mothers with substance abuse issues are generally victims of sexual and domestic violence (97 percent). Often, the underlying reasons for addiction among mothers are untreated post-traumatic stress and/or major depression disorders, precipitated by the injuries of sexual and domestic violence. When these mothers seek out treatment to heal from their addiction, they face an uphill battle. Families struggling with substance abuse issues are offered few opportunities to find treatment and recovery for themselves and their families.
The 1996 Uniform Facility Data Set found that only 6 percent of the treatment programs surveyed included prenatal care and 11.5 percent provided childcare. Only 37 percent of mothers in need of drug treatment who are mothering children under the age of eighteen receive any kind of treatment services.
Parents involved in the child welfare system are especially impacted by the dearth of drug treatment programs available to families: Over two-thirds of parents involved in the child welfare system require substance abuse treatment, yet existing treatment meets less than one third of that need. Only ten percent of child welfare agencies report that they can successfully find substance abuse programs for mothers and their children who require the treatment in a timely manner.
The newly passed Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) mandates that child welfare systems make permanency decisions for any child in foster care for 15 consecutive or 15 of 22 months. Often mothers cannot even gain access to substance abuse treatment programs within that timeframe. Because of the dearth of available treatment for families, many mothers seeking treatment must enter single adult treatment programs and make a "Sophie's Choice" between custody of their children or treatment.
The absence of treatment opportunities for families has also extended out to the criminal justice system. Since 1986, following the introduction of mandatory sentencing to the federal drug laws in the mid 1980s, and its adoption by many states at about the same time, the number of women in prison has risen 400 percent, according to a recent Department of Justice report, "Survey of State Prison Inmates"; for black women, the figure is 800 percent. Most of these women and mothers incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses are suffering with substance abuse issues. In federal prison, for example, 87 percent of the women report being drug addicted. These women and mothers are untreated addicts who are criminalized for their addiction rather than offered treatment and rehabilitation. Mothers struggling with substance abuse are more likely to be afforded access to prison than to comprehensive family treatment.
When it is available, family treatment offers a comprehensive opportunity for a parent to heal from addiction with their children. Families struggling with addiction possess the basic human right to find healing for themselves and their families. Denying mothers and their children the chance for recovery, instead often throwing these mothers into the prisons and the criminal justice system, entrenches low-income families in their poverty and unfairly disintegrates sacred family ties.
(Los Angeles, CA)
ULOAH AT a Glance
What is Our Mission?
ULOAH’s mission is to empower black lesbians through education, the promotion of health and wellness, and advocacy. We foster lasting social change whereby black lesbians can safely live healthy, authentic lives.
“Making the world safe for black lesbians!”
ULOAH is the only Non-Profit organization designed by and for black lesbians in Southern California and one of the very few such organizations in the country.
Our constituency consists primarily of self-identified black lesbians, age ranging from 16-77. Most of our members reside in California but because of our popularity, we attract women from all around the world. As lesbians of African heritage, we address multiple issues related to sexual orientation and identity, racial and gender equality.
Yes. ULOAH’s leadership is currently comprised entirely of lesbians of African and Afro-Caribbean heritage. Members of the board and committee chairs range from 26-55. The leadership also reflects our constituency in terms of class diversity, differences in education and life experience. ULOAH recognizes the importance of having leadership that reflects and inspires black women of all backgrounds.
Because ULOAH is an equal opportunity employer we hire, train, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation.
Since our founding, ULOAH has developed longstanding relationship with many gay and lesbian organizations including GLAAD, Vote Equality and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force. Our partnerships also include Zuna Institute, Tongues, In the Meantime Men, Highways Performance Space, Outfest, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, L.A. Black Pride and Human Rights Campaign.
Yes. ULOAH have received financial gifts from Gill Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation, Astraea Foundation, Funding Exchange, Johnson Donor-Advised Fund, David Bohnett Foundation and John Lee Fund of the Tides Foundation.
LEMUSICA
(Mozambique, Africa)
LEMUSICA is a nonprofit community based organization in the city of Chimoio that seeks to enhance the inequitable position of women and girls in the Moçambican society and combat domestic, physical and sexual violence against women and children.
LEMUSICA, an acronym for “Levante-se Mulher e siga o seu caminho” (Rise up woman and take your path) focuses on women, but includes a number of target groups. Among these are:
• Sexually abused minors
• Victims of domestic and/or sexual violence
• The emotionally abused
• Orphans subjected to discrimination and forced child labor
The objectives of LEMUSICA are:
1. To integrate women and girls into Moçambican society.
2. To advocate for an elevated social status on the part of women by promoting community action with the aim to end domestic, sexual, physical and emotional violence and abuse.
3. To create a centralized place for the assistance and counseling of women and youth.
4. To promote the education and development of girls.
5. To create opportunities for the newly liberated woman to assert her skills.
6. To represent and defend the economic and social interests of its members in the presence of the state, public and private institutions.
The services offered at LEMUSICA include:
• Shelter for victims of abuse
• Counseling and support services for victims of abuse
• Housing and activities for Orphans and Vulnerable Children
• Preschool
• Education and activism for Women’s Rights
• Education and activism for Children’s Rights
LEMUSICA, a registered organization since October 26, 2000 is continuing to grow with the projected goals of mainstreaming HIV and AIDS education and activities and expanding the domestic and sexual violence sector on the part of counseling, supporting and sheltering. The efforts exerted and projected by LEMUSICA are a reflection of its motto “We are here and ready to support”.
For more information on how you can support LEMUSICA, please contact Kieta Taylor at: kietaisafrica@hotmail.com