Healthy MOMS Program Launches in Lackawanna County

Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs (LSODAP) recently received funding through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ State Targeted Response grant program to lead development of a community-wide pregnancy-recovery program for mothers-to-be in Lackawanna County struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Led by LSODAP, the Healthy MOMS program is a robust partnership that includes many regional players in the healthcare, legal and social services sectors. The initiative formally launched earlier this month, and, solely through word-of-mouth referrals from program partners, fourteen mothers-to-be have been referred into the program to date.

Engaged organizations include the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services, The Wright Center for Community Health, Susquehanna County Children and Youth Services, Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc., Moses Taylor Hospital, Outreach Center for Community Resources, and Community Care Behavioral Health Organization.

The Healthy MOMS program is modeled after Ohio’s successful Maternal Opiate Medical Support (MOMS) Project, a community-based model that addresses the needs of pregnant women and newborns struggling with OUD. Care is coordinated through a team of community partners specifically aligned to guide a woman with OUD on her path of recovery. Women who participate in the Healthy MOMS program receive support at any time during their pregnancy, prior to birth, at the hospital and postpartum. Support can include assistance with housing, childcare, transportation, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), substance abuse counseling, case management, mental health counseling, recovery supports through a certified recovery specialist, and medical care for mom and baby.

The project is on track to meet its objective of providing services to 50 mother/baby dyads within the established 8-month funding period.

“This program is so unique and innovative within our region and, as far as I know, is the only active program specifically developed to engage pregnant women in Northeastern Pennsylvania through an authentic, community-based approach. Every one of our partners is committed to breaking stigma associated with OUD while pregnant. Instead of casting judgement, we are all focused on connecting these moms-to-be the resources they need to build a stronger foundation for a healthy mom and baby. The goal of the Healthy MOMS program is not to discharge patients but to keep patients in recovery through wraparound recovery support services in an established community network. I encourage any community partner willing to commit to actionable value-added services to reach out to me and get involved in this vital community initiative,” stated Barbara Durkin, Director, Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

A comprehensive outreach campaign will launch in January to more effectively spread the word about this program to everyone in Lackawanna and Susquehanna County.

More details about the program, including downloadable literature and information for potential community partners, is available on www.healthymoms.org.

The Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs is the Single County Authority (SCA) for drug and alcohol for both Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties. The mission of the Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs is to prevent the onset of substance abuse and substance use disorder (SUD) and to mitigate its harmful effects on individuals, families, and the community. The Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs provides comprehensive, qualitative, and cost-effective approaches to prevention, intervention, and treatment services.