X

Maternal wraparound program at Gouverneur, Potsdam, Canton health centers reporting success

Posted 2/28/20

GOUVERNEUR -- A St. Lawrence Health System program that was recently developed to assist pregnant and postpartum women with a substance use disorder is “reporting success stories,” according to a …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Maternal wraparound program at Gouverneur, Potsdam, Canton health centers reporting success

Posted

GOUVERNEUR -- A St. Lawrence Health System program that was recently developed to assist pregnant and postpartum women with a substance use disorder is “reporting success stories,” according to a news release from St. Lawrence Health System.

SLHS runs Gouverneur Hospital, along with Canton-Potsdam and Massena hospitals.

St. Lawrence Health System’s Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Service received a $255,118 grant from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) for a Maternal Wraparound, or M-WRAP, Program. Through the grant, the outpatient program is available free of charge to women residing in St. Lawrence County or those enrolled in the System’s Substance Use Disorder program, SLHS said.

“It’s a true wrap-around support program; we wrap the mom in resources and provide the assistance she needs to succeed. Whether someone needs breastfeeding education, child care, clothing, counseling, food, parenting classes or continuing education, personal safety items, car seats, transportation, or shelter, individuals can either come to one of our OB/GYN locations in Canton, Potsdam, or Gouverneur, or our team will make accommodations to go to the individual,” Program Manager Elizabeth Stiles said in a prepared statement. “Most of our patients have been self-referrals, although we also accept provider and community referrals from organizations such as WIC, Child Protective Services, and Peer Services.”

Once an appointment has been established, a member of the M-WRAP team sits down with the expecting or new mom, either in her home or in an office setting, and conducts a comprehensive assessment. The team is looking for information directly related to available support systems, living conditions, and healthcare,” SHLS said.

“We want to see if there are any barriers in receiving care and ensure Mom has the necessities required in caring for her baby. We also prepare Mom for what to expect once the child is born,” Ms. Stiles said. “We can link her to one of our providers who specializes in Substance Use Disorder, or with any number of outside agencies we work with. We are here to work with them to provide positive outcomes. It’s been pretty amazing to see them progress,” Stiles said.

In the release, Gouverneur Hospital Chief Executive Officer Eric Burch said the M-WRAP Program “is vitally needed in the North Country.”

“Each person’s needs are vastly unique and there should not be a cookie cutter approach to providing care for expecting and/or new mothers with a substance use disorder. Our clinical team is ready to assist and support in a multitude of ways, including providing access to resources supplied by outside agencies; we want to ensure they never feel like they are alone,” he said.

Stiles’ office is located in Gouverneur Hospital’s Substance Use Disorder Services wing, 77 West Barney St., Gouverneur. She may be reached at (315) 955-3293. The M-WRAP Program is also available at Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Services, 12 Elm Street, Potsdam, (315) 353-2572; Canton Obstetrics and Gynecology, 80 East Main Street, Canton, (315) 714-3175; Potsdam Obstetrics and Gynecology, 49 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam, (315) 265-2153; or Gouverneur OB/GYN, 77 West Barney Street, Gouverneur, (315) 287-7700.

For more information on St. Lawrence Health System’s Substance Use Disorder Services, visithttps://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/services/substance-use-disorder.