From Risk to Resiliency: County Proclaims Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day

Posted April 22, 2026
Posted by Board of Supervisors and Public Relations

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors approved and signed a proclamation designating April 22, 2026, as Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day during its meeting on April 21. 

The proclamation was presented by Abigail Osterhaus, Prevention Specialist with Heartland Family Services, alongside fellow Prevention Specialist Christy Hagen. Both emphasized the importance of raising awareness and strengthening community support for children impacted by substance misuse. 

Drug endangered children are those at risk of abuse or neglect due to a caregiver’s illegal drug use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution. Children may also be affected when substance misuse interferes with a caregiver’s ability to provide a safe and stable environment. 

Osterhaus shared recent data highlighting the scope of the issue. 

“Nationally, about 39% of foster care removals involve substance use. In Iowa, that number nearly doubles, with approximately 60 to 70% of child welfare cases involving substance use,” she said.  

She also reflected on a powerful story shared at a recent conference by an individual who experienced childhood exposure to substance misuse. 

“One of the things that really stood out to me is that she felt forced to be resilient,” Osterhaus said. “The problem with being forced to be resilient is that it can be a burden for these kids with everything else they have going on.”  

The proclamation highlights the importance of early intervention and community involvement, emphasizing that with the right support, children can move from risk to resiliency. Building resiliency not only improves outcomes for individual children but also helps break generational cycles of substance misuse and abuse. 

Osterhaus noted that collaboration between community partners, service providers, and residents is critical in identifying and supporting at-risk children. 

“Our coalition does the work to build resilience as a community,” she said. “We need to make sure we’re identifying and coordinating care and services for these children.”  

Hagen added that the long-term impact of childhood exposure to substance misuse can extend well into adulthood. 

“A lot of the individuals I work with in the jail were drug endangered children,” Hagen said. “It becomes a lifelong cycle, which is why raising awareness and prevention is so important.”  

The Board of Supervisors encourages all residents of Pottawattamie County to take an active role in prevention efforts, support families in need, and help ensure that all children grow and develop in safe, healthy, and drug-free environments.