Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County Action Planning

Developing a strategic action plan to identify and support pregnant women who use drugs

Full Project Name:Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County: Action planning to support drug-free pregnancyPrimary Community Organization:Fond du Lac School District / Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac CountyAward Amount:$10,000

Award Date

December2018

Project Duration:6 months

Project Description Narrative:

Drug-dependent newborns are high needs and at risk for negative health outcomes due to early birth, low birth weights, and drug dependency. Fond du Lac County partners across sectors working with pregnant and parenting mothers recognized an increase in the number and frequency of pregnant women using opioids and other drugs and delivering babies experiencing adverse side effects of drug use. Partners working with this population expressed a need for additional tools and resources to enhance early identification of substance use by pregnant or parenting mothers and resources and services to connect them with to help ensure long-term success of mother, baby, and family. This project aims to develop a strategic action plan to expand early identification of pregnant women who use drugs and map a wrap-around system of support to ensure improved long-term success and outcomes.

Project partners: SSM Agnesian Health Care, Fond du Lac County Department of Social Services, Fond du Lac County Department of Community Programs, Fond du Lac County Public Health Department, Supporting Positive Relationships so Our Children Under 6 can Thrive (SPROUT), Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Engaged numerous community stakeholders in three strategic planning sessions to identify existing services, current gaps and barriers, and goals and strategies to close gaps, increase awareness, and create stronger collaboration and coordination across systems to expand early identification and map a wraparound system of support
Conducted focus groups with mothers with lived experience to gain insights into what was important to mom and baby during pregnancy, in the hospital, and after discharge as well as what would be an ideal system of support in the community
Developed final action plan, including a strategic plan and partnership growth and sustainability plan, to guide the group to continue to grow the partnership and break down silos through implementation of a wraparound system for mothers and babies affected by opioid drug use during pregnancy and movement towards upstream prevention