"Make the difference" - Qualifying professionals working with families with addiction issues

Background
The EU-funded project Make the Difference (MTD)(2021-2023) aimed to enhance collaboration between addiction care and child protection services in 12 EU countries to identify and support children in families with addiction issues and reduce associated risks. It also aimed to equip professionals with essential skills and knowledge concerning these families. 
Based on MTD, an ongoing Erasmus+ partnership in 9 EU countries is creating a curriculum to train professionals in addiction care and other fields. The goal is to enable professionals to identify risks for children in addiction-affected families, implement interventions, reduce stigma, and support parents with addiction issues.
Methods
In MTD, 12 addiction care organizations collaborated with child protection organizations to develop cooperation agreements concerning families with addiction issues. Four workshops laid the groundwork for cooperation. A guide offering guidance, recommendations, tools, and insights from project partners has been prepared by all partners.
The Erasmus+ partnership gathers insights families affected by addiction in 9 countries through questionnaires via focus groups, individual settings, or online forms. In an in-person workshop a curriculum prototype will be developed. Regular feedback in monthly online meetings will inform curriculum adjustments. The curriculum will be presented in an online conference.
Results
The cooperation agreements in MTD were successfully signed across all partner countries, with plans to implement the cooperation for the long term. The published guide outlines the process towards an accepted and feasible cooperation agreement, while 42 professionals from both help systems received training on critical aspects of families with addiction issues. A training concept with supporting materials was developed and disseminated, resulting in the training of 2,012 professionals across the participating countries within the project. Additionally, best practices, such as protocols in addiction care, were adapted and disseminated.
Within the Erasmus+ partnership, insights from affected families informed curriculum development, resulting in the publication of an open educational resource.
Conclusion
The MTD project has made significant strides in addressing challenges faced by families with addiction issues, enhancing professional development, and transforming support structures. Its impact includes heightened attention to parenthood within addiction support, improved professional qualification, and a comprehensive family-centered approach. 
The Erasmus+ partnership promises to enhance these efforts through curriculum publication and data utilization from families with addiction issues. Both initiatives underscore the commitment to safeguarding the well-being of children and families affected by addiction, emphasizing the importance of continued dedication and resource allocation.