Moms Do Care: Empowering Treatment for Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorder
The Moms Do Care (MDC) program, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), focuses on providing integrated support for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting people affected by substance use through primary, obstetrical, behavioral health, recovery support, and case management services. With 11 sites funded since 2015, including birthing hospitals, community hospitals, and health centers across Massachusetts, MDC aims to meet the diverse needs of this population. Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) has partnered with MDC throughout its development, serving as the evaluator from its pilot phase to its statewide expansion, collaborating on the proposal and program design, and providing technical assistance, data collection, and analysis. This collaboration has led to significant recognition, including testimonials before Congress and a publication in the Maternal and Child Health Journal.
For over 35 years, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) has been improving health and human services systems of care and business operations to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential.
CHALLENGE
MDC was conceived to address critical challenges in expanding medical and behavioral health services for pregnant and postpartum persons with substance use disorder (SUD) in Massachusetts. These challenges included improving engagement and retention in SUD treatment, including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD); increasing access to individualized recovery support; and reducing stigma faced by the focus population. MDC aimed to enhance MOUD access, reduce illicit drug use, and improve health and recovery outcomes. Additionally, MDCseeks to increase the number of MOUD providers, improve workforce understanding of SUD in pregnant people, reduce stigma among medical providers, and better integrate primary care and behavioral health services.
SOLUTION
AHP’s evaluation framework focuses on identifying and overcoming barriers to accessing MOUD, developing individualized recovery support services, and addressing stigma faced by the population being served. By implementing a rigorous evaluation methodology including client interviews, administrative treatment data analysis, provider surveys, and onsite visits with key informants, AHP ensures thorough assessment of both individual and system-level outcomes.
RESULTS
AHP’s evaluation of MDC has contributed to increasing the number of waivered buprenorphine prescribers and improved workforce understanding of SUD specific to pregnant people, thereby reducing negative attitudes among medical providers. Furthermore, AHP’s work has fostered better integration of primary care and behavioral health services, enhancing overall care coordination. The findings from AHP’s evaluation provide crucial insights into the effectiveness of this intervention, guiding future program development and highlighting the most promising strategies for supporting pregnant people with SUD. The evaluation also offers critical information on implementing complex interventions, which will help shape MDC strategies over time and determine which program elements are most beneficial for different subgroups.
About Us
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) creates powerful solutions to improve health and human services systems. By partnering with the federal government, states, municipalities, healthcare systems, and nonprofits, we help people experiencing the greatest disadvantages lead full and productive lives. We are national leaders in training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, publishing, and dedicated consulting. On issues from workforce development to mental health, substance use disorders to housing and homelessness, we help our clients enhance behavioral health care through systems change. AHP was founded nearly 40 years ago to develop solutions for some of the biggest social infrastructure challenges across the nation. Our company has offices in metro Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Find out more at www.ahpnet.com.
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