Eight community mental health centers are working together to improve infant health in Indiana through their participation in a pilot program aimed at helping women deliver healthy babies.
The program, coordinated at a local level by Porter-Starke Services, a not-for-profit community mental health center located in Valparaiso, Portage and Knox, is entitled MOMENTUM. The program offers education, treatment, and group and in-home support for pregnant women using opiates, alcohol, or other drugs, who wish to begin recovery and deliver a healthy baby.
Babies born addicted may need additional hospital care, and often may have ongoing health problems, including low birth weight or difficulty eating and breathing. The MOMENTUM program provides the necessary supportive services to help both the mother and child.
“Addiction affects every sector of our community,” said Rocco Schiralli, President/CEO of Porter-Starke Services. “Porter-Starke Services is proud to work collaboratively to better ensure that pregnant mothers and their new born babies can have a healthier life,” said Schiralli.
Porter-Starke Services is working with other area medical providers to coordinate care. All medication-assisted treatment includes counseling and other services to support the health of both the expectant mother and the developing baby.
Women may be referred to the program by another medical provider or they can self-refer by calling Porter-Starke Services at 219.476.4644.
