Project Summary:
Helios Heuristic, in partnership with a team from MCW, is leading a project to prevent parent-child separation through Recovery Doulas. This initiative provides early intervention, education, and wraparound support for families affected by substance use disorder (SUD), particularly those involved in child welfare, to reduce out-of-home placements, as well as supporting healing and long-term recovery. This is particularly important given that substance use is a leading cause of home removal for infants in Wisconsin.
Addressing Wisconsin’s maternal health crisis, which disproportionately affects Black, Native American, and marginalized communities, this project aligns with state recommendations for peer support, harm reduction, and mental health care. Recovery Doulas will offer culturally responsive, trauma-informed support to pregnant and postpartum individuals with SUD in underserved areas in northeastern Wisconsin. By providing critical care, Helios will support family stability, nurture maternal-child bonds, and reduce the risk of family separation, supporting both recovery and positive health outcomes.
In addition to individualized support for at-risk community members, the project will also work to build relationships with healthcare providers to provide education on SUD and reduce stigma. The Helios team will also provide support through family recovery coaching and advocate for pregnant individuals to eliminate barriers and connect them to additional resources to meet their needs. The project draws on the expertise of Helios’ team, who have lived experience in SUD, child welfare, and recovery, and will be supported in a mixed-methods study design, evaluation, and dissemination by the MCW team.