Designed to provide a kaleidoscope of services to pregnant women and new mothers with substance abuse issues, the For My Baby and Me program has become an unqualified success since its 2017 inception.
Operating in Mercer County as a cooperative effort between Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton, and other health and social service agencies, the program funded by the New Jersey Department of Human Services forms a cocoon of free immediate services around pregnant women addicted to opioids, assuring their assistance through substance removal and safety of their unborn children.
“It was not long after we started our addiction services that it became clear there were no programs available for pregnant women who wanted to stop using drugs and have their babies,” said Susan Loughery, associate executive director of operations for CCDOT. “They were considered high risk, needed a medical team that consisted of obstetrics and addiction medicine collaborating closely. That type of medical service just didn’t exist, particularly for the uninsured.”
When Capital Health, one of several collaborating agencies, approached Catholic Charities to help develop the program, Loughery knew it would have a tremendous impact – but that it would take an array of resources to be successful.
Services provided include a 24/7 hotline, safe family housing, transportation, food and clothing, immediate entry into a drug treatment program, educational support, employment training, childcare and legal assistance.
One of the hallmarks of the program, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), helps prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can be particularly dangerous to pregnant women as they can cause uterine contractions and bring on premature birth or miscarriage.
“We built the system together, which brings strength to the program,” Loughery explained, noting that the participation of innovative medical and clinical teams was crucial to their success. “Each case is different, so there is tremendous communication among the partners to strategize on the best way to meet the needs of the mom and her baby.”
At a Glance
When a pregnant woman struggling with addiction reaches out to For My Baby and Me, Loughery said, her initial call is met immediately by a peer specialist – who, without judgment, helps connect her with safe housing for the night.
“The next morning, she is introduced to the medical and clinical team,” Loughery continued. “She will spend time with the nurses to set up a prenatal plan, meet with the doctors and attend groups with the other women in the program. She will see the nursery, meet with a therapist and learn about all the services that are available.”
What is unique about FMBAM is the holistic approach to treating mother and baby, assuring no needs go unmet.
“Many of the women who come to us have really tried to get treatment, but barriers exist such as insurance requirements and transportation to the clinics,” Loughery noted. “That is why the community approach is so critical. It’s not just about having access to substance use disorder treatment – it’s about having access to housing, transportation, medicine, a support network and community system that helps moms achieve their goals of independence, healing and thriving as mothers.”
Substance-addicted women find the FMBAM program through various avenues, she said. “Sometimes it’s through a hospital referral, a community provider, the county social services office, or just word of mouth in the community – and sometimes women just walk in,” she explained. “We advertise on billboards and city buses. Anyone can refer a woman in need to the hotline; all it takes is one phone call.”
Award-winning Efforts
For My Baby and Me has been a consistent and reliable program through which women bring their babies to term and wean off substance dependence, as evidenced by its recent recognition as a national best practice at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) annual conference Oct. 30 – Nov. 3.
This is the first national recognition of the program, which has also received two state awards from the NJ Department of Health Opioid Summit, including “best outcomes poster award” and “The People’s Choice Award.”
Nurse care manager Stacey Negron, Loughery and chief executive nurse Lisa Merritt joined Dr. Eric Schwartz, executive director of the Institute for Urban Care at Capital Health, in presenting at the conference. They also met with leaders throughout the country to discuss ways other communities can create similar programs.
Working with federal and state agency officials concerning opioid treatment policy in the U.S., as well as with the World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence on international initiatives, the AATOD invites select programs to showcase at its annual conferences. The FMBAM program was selected for its outcomes in reducing neonatal intensive care (NICU) days for babies, program adherence rates for the mothers, number of women and babies served and the high percentage of women who left the hospitals with their newborn babies.
Positive Outcomes
More than 150 women have been served through the award-winning services of FMBAM, with 94 babies born, including three sets of twins. “Right now, we have 22 women active and had 14 babies born” in 2022, Loughery said.
For most of them, she pointed out, the best option is continued MAT, particularly during the duration of the pregnancy. “Each woman works with the medical team on a customized treatment plan, which takes into consideration their preferences and medical needs.”
Babies born to mothers aided by the program are given a much higher likelihood of healthy outcomes, Loughery emphasized.
“The prognosis is excellent. Most women in the program give birth to healthy babies,” she said, “leaving the hospital with their moms … This is a direct result of many professionals coming together for the common goal of assisting mom through her journey of recovery and a healthy baby.”
The program’s collaborative effort also includes the Henry J. Austin Health Center, HomeFront, The Rescue Mission and Trenton Health team. To reach the FMBAM hotline, call 609-256-7801. For more information, visit formybabyandme.org.