The Paramus Post (September 13, 2021) covering Care Plus NJ being awarded a grant from the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to launch the Bergen and Passaic County Maternal Wraparound (M-WRAP) Program.
Care Plus NJ has received one of six regionalized awards that comprise the statewide program, which will provide intensive case management, wraparound services, and recovery support services for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorders.
Leveraging Care Plus NJ’s comprehensive expertise in both maternal health and addiction recovery services, the goal of the Bergen and Passaic County M-WRAP Program will be to reduce obstacles to services for pregnant individuals who are dependent on substances by expanding the scope of care coordination from pre-pregnancy and birth to five major timeframes, during which it is possible to reduce potential harm to substance exposed infants (SEI): pre-pregnancy, prenatal, birth, neonatal, and early childhood. Care Plus NJ’s M-WRAP Program will serve a minimum of fifty individuals from pregnancy to up to one year after birth.
“Every year, over 400,000 infants across the country are affected by prenatal alcohol or illicit drug exposure, which has the potential to cause a range of physical, emotional, and developmental problems,” said Ann Marie Zihal, Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, Care Plus NJ. “By taking a more comprehensive, coordinated approach to care, the M-WRAP Program will not only address all stages of development to reduce potential harm of prenatal substance use exposure for the infant but also provide the mother with substance use disorder treatment and access to enhanced family services which are also critically important to the health and wellbeing of the entire family.”
Additionally, Care Plus NJ will collaborate with a local central intake provider, area hospitals, youth services providers, and substance use disorder treatment agencies to support the program and promote maternal health, improve birth outcomes, and reduce the risks and adverse consequences of prenatal substance exposure.
