This research study summary looks at Project Nurture, an integrated prenatal and postpartum care program for pregnant mothers with substance use disorder and their infants. The study found that care provided by Project Nurture, which includes medical services, substance use disorder treatment, peer support and social work and doula services, resulted in fewer substantiated cases of child mistreatment, fewer foster care placements, and increases in prenatal visits and maternal hospital length of stay compared to treatment as usual. The study also found the initiative likely led to cost savings, although those costs were realized in the socials services sector rather than in health care costs. This study led to the Oregon Legislature approving funding to extend the Project Nurture initiative to 4 additional counties in Oregon.
Authors: K.J. McConnell, M.R. Kaufman, J.I. Grunditz, H. Bellanca, A. Risser, M.I. Rodriguez, S. Renfro
Funding Source: Circle of Giving & Oregon Health & Science University’s Center for Women’s Health
Project Nurture: Integrated Maternity and Substance Use Care to Improve Outcomes for Mothers and their Children
A summary of a research study that looked at maternal and child outcomes from the Project Nurture integrated care initiative for mothers with substance use disorder and their infants