Mercy Children’s Hospital offers the Mother Child Dependency Program to all pregnant women in Lucas County suffering from an opiate addiction. This program offers free intensive case management directed towards their specific needs, often including:

• gaining access to substance abuse treatment
• linking with a prenatal doctor knowledgeable about addiction
• finding resources for transportation and baby items
• finding stable housing

The licensed social worker for this program helps women learn about available community resources, parenting, and ways to cope with stress. The program follows the “Partners for a Healthy Baby” curriculum which has several education pieces including information about breastfeeding, nutrition, safe sleep, budgeting, and many more related topics.

The Mother Child Dependency (MCD) program was designed to help decrease the overwhelming infant mortality statistics in Lucas County. Women who use opiates during pregnancy put their babies at risk of low birth weight, behavioral problems, developmental delays, learning disabilities, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and stillbirth. About 75% of all pregnant opiate users never seek prenatal care, which has serious implications for the woman’s ability to have a healthy baby.

The MCD program offers pregnant women a confidential, non-judgmental atmosphere to address their addiction to opiates, as well as address barriers to following through with prenatal care and treatment. The program has existed since 2014, and is funded by the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County. The program follows the Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB approach by helping women become more self-sufficient while also addressing the social determinants of health, reducing disparities and improving population health. The MCD program has had great success in its outcomes since the beginning of the program, and they are listed below.

Outcomes for July 1, 2014- June 30, 2018

147 babies born into program

3 stillbirths, 2 miscarriages

12% of clients dropped out of the program

8% of the babies were born addicted to illegal drugs

69% of the babies born went home with their mothers

78% of babies were born at a healthy birth weight (5 lbs. 8 oz. or higher)

92% of babies born at 37 weeks or later

To make a referral, contact:

Cassandra Reineck, LSW –  St. Vincent Medical Center

2213 Cherry Street, Toledo, Ohio 43608

(419) 205-7333 or cireineck@mercy.com