Today Gov. Jim Justice and the Pfizer Foundation announced a grant award of $500,000 to increase rehabilitation services for mothers with substance use disorders and their prenatally exposed infants.
“This funding will help the most vulnerable of our citizens impacted by the horrible drug epidemic we are facing as a state,” said Gov. Justice. “We appreciate the partnership of the Pfizer Foundation with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) as we work to improve the health and well-being those children and families impacted by substance use.”
The project will be based in Cabell County and will integrate state of the art infant treatment services offered through Lily’s Place with evidence-based addiction services and support for pregnant and postpartum mothers delivered through the MOMS program at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital. MOMS program services will be added to the Lily’s Place facility in order to create a holistic approach to caring for mothers and babies.
“By increasing support to families of infants experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, we can help the parents find and maintain sobriety and, ultimately, provide long-term relief to the child welfare crisis,” said DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch.
“The Pfizer Foundation has a long-standing commitment to address the challenges of improving healthcare delivery around the world,” said Caroline Roan, President, Pfizer Foundation. “Our support of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ work to increase community education about the risks of opioid abuse underscores our dedication to helping address the growing opioid overdose epidemic.”
