Altering the Course

Getting parents the help they need as early as possible.
At Lindsay’s prenatal appointments, red flags for substance use disorder were missed. Now a Parent Leader with Safe Babies, she works to get parents the help they need as early as possible.
Lindsay always thought she had her substance use under control but after learning she was pregnant, she came to terms that she could not stop. However, she thought that getting help meant that her baby would have been taken away from her. She reflects that perhaps if her touchpoints through Medicaid, WIC, and her OBGYN would have engaged in conversation about substance use and perinatal treatment programs, maybe her son would not have entered the child welfare system.
“I want to be here because I want everyone to be able to find help earlier. If we can find parents help before they enter the child welfare system, it’s going to help in the long-run.”
Learn more about Safe Babies and the program’s work to transform the child welfare system.
Next Story
Infant and Early Childhood Mental HealthPhysical Health & NutritionTrauma
Breaking the Cycle
That pregnancy wasn't planned. I didn't know what to do, like how to bond with him.