Family Guidance launches all-new program to support pregnant women recovering from substance use disorders

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- An all-new program designed to support pregnant and postpartum women recovering from substance use disorders has been launched by Family Guidance Center.

From counseling and emotional support to transportation assistance, Family Guidance's new "Strong Beginnings" program launched on Friday aims to help build stable and health futures with a wide range of services to support women navigating motherhood and substance abuse.

Strong Beginnings collaborators include Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare and Mosaic Life Care, with additional collaborations planned.

“Strong Beginnings is designed to reduce barriers to care and meet women where they are — offering hope, dignity, and practical support during a critical stage of life,” said Ashley Grippando, RN, Strong Beginnings Program Coordinator at Family Guidance Center, in a news release. “This program creates a space where women are encouraged, supported, and empowered to begin healing and change the trajectory of their lives and their children’s lives.”

Strong Beginnings offers:

• Counseling and emotional support for pregnant or one-year postpartum women with substance use disorders
• Education and recovery resources
• Advocacy and case management
• Connection to community services, including substance use disorders treatment
• Transportation assistance

According to Family Guidance, the number of pregnant or postpartum women experiencing substance use disorders continues to rise across St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri, while specialized, coordinated support services remain limited.

"Without intervention, these challenges can lead to serious health, child-welfare, and economic consequences for families and communities," a news release from Family Guidance reads.

The hope is offering early and supportive intervention will improve healthy outcomes while also reducing financial strain on mothers and state resources. Health impacts can also have a significant impact on costs for foster care.

"Missouri child-welfare data underscores the importance of early support. Foster care costs range from $6,108 to $8,544 per child each year, and when legal, medical, and casework services are included, costs can reach approximately $25,000 per child annually.

In the state of Missouri, neonatal intensive care unit stays related to prenatal substance exposure can range as high as $60,000 to $100,000 per infant. Emergency room visits and overdose hospitalizations can also cost thousands of dollars.

"Programs like Strong Beginnings are vital because they remove barriers and provide hope for women facing substance use challenges,” said Zakary Reneau, DO, Mosaic Life Care, in a news release. “By working together as a community, we can improve health outcomes for mothers and babies and create a foundation for stronger families.”

Individuals interested in learning more about Strong Beginnings can visit www.fgcnow.org or contact: