BabySTEPs: Supporting Transitions for Expectant and Postpartum Parents – Research

People who use substances during pregnancy and postpartum often do not receive needed support due to stigma and fear of child removal. The lack of available support options for people struggling with perinatal substance use contributes to the maternal mortality crisis. Digital helplines are a potential mechanism for providing confidential, evidence-informed brief interventions to pregnant and postpartum people.

With support from the Anthem Foundation, we are developing a model for digital helpline support for pregnant and postpartum people who use substances. Once developed, we will pilot this new model using our existing helpline infrastructure. Individuals will be able to connect directly with a trained helpline specialist via confidential text message. Helpline specialists will be trained to deliver support, resources, and brief motivational interviewing interventions tailored to the needs of the client.

This is an ongoing project – our progress to date: we are working closely with our helpline specialists, members of the target population, and professional stakeholders to co-develop a helpline service model that is tailored to pregnant and postpartum people who use substances. We are developing a training for the helpline team to support them in starting to serve this new population. In January 2025, we will begin a pilot of the helpline in 4 counties in New York State.