Treatment Education
Support Services
Family Navigators
A common barrier to seeking treatment services is the inability to navigate the complex system. Healthy Connections encourages the use of family navigators, who help guide families through the entire spectrum of services and resources, especially at times of transition from birth to kindergarten. They also provide comprehensive assessments to identify the services that are most needed, coordinate those services, and provide information to agencies to help them make determination of safety of the infant.
Peer Recovery Coaches
Healthy Connections and most addiction medicine models at Marshall Health integrate certified peer recovery coaches. These are individuals who are in long-term recovery and are trained to provide supportive services from a first-hand perspective throughout the program. They are trained in infant and early childhood development and remain an integral part of the treatment team throughout the course of the mother’s recovery.
Treatment for Prenatal Exposure
One in five babies born in Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) have been prenatally exposed to drugs. The Neonatal Therapeutic Unit at CHH and Lily’s Place are uniquely equipped to provide the best and most innovative care to these newborns. Babies receive treatment in a quiet environment with therapeutic handling, with a volume driven feeding protocol, medicine to manage withdrawal symptoms if necessary, and general medical care. Families are educated about the needs of their infant and available transition services.
Medication Assisted Treatment Programs
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) programs have been established as best practice for the treatment of opiate addition by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). MAT includes medication management, group and individual therapy, education and peer support groups. Psychosocial treatment focuses on helping mothers understand, learn, and practice living a drug free life by improving emotion regulation, decision making skills and the ability to engage in healthy goal directed behavior.
All participating MAT programs in the Healthy Connections coalition are committed to ASAM and SAMSHA best practice guidelines and adhere to requirements of the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure & Certification.