Contents - NACoA

Core Competencies
For Involvement of Early Childhood Professionals in the Care of
Children and Adolescents in Families Affected by Alcohol or
Other Drug Abuse
These competencies are presented as a guide to the core knowledge, attitudes,
and skills that are essential to meeting the needs of children and youth affected
by alcohol or drug abuse in families. Developed by a multi-disciplinary professional advisory
group to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA), they set forth
a level for the child care professional’s involvement with children who grow up in homes
where alcohol and other drugs are a problem.
It is NACoA’s hope that organizations representing early childhood professionals
will adopt these competencies, or competencies modeled from them. All child care providers
should aspire to these competencies. Resources and programs should be made available
for the necessary training to achieve these competencies.
Be able to articulate a working definition of alcoholism and other drug dependencies
without trying to diagnose this condition in others.
Be aware of the behavioral signs presented by children in families affected by
alcohol or other drug abuse.
Be aware of the potential benefit to both the child and the family of timely and
early intervention.
Be familiar with community resources available for children and adolescents in
families with substance abuse.
Be able to recognize when to seek the advice of a supervisor when a child from a
family with substance abuse has a need beyond your level of expertise.
Be able to communicate an appropriate level of concern in sensitive situations
and offer an appropriate level of support.
Be able to notice and build upon the child’s strengths. Be aware of your routine
behaviors that can assist the child through modeling, consistency, and the setting
of safe boundaries.
Be available to the child or adolescent, as needed, for ongoing care and support.