This is hard.

Child Welfare cannot be involved until the birth of your child unless you and your child have a current open case. Child Welfare may become involved or place your baby in out of home care if there is a risk of abuse or neglect, including if the baby is affected by substance use. If you are in treatment and have a Family Care Plan, this provides you the ability to advocate for yourself while taking the steps to build a safe and healthy environment for your child(ren).

The goal of a Family Care Plan is to strengthen the family, help mothers have a healthy pregnancy, and keep child(ren) safely at home.
A Family Care Plan includes but is not limited to:
– A personalized guide to ensure you get the necessary resources to help you and your family thrive.
– A “recovery resume” or diary that helps communicate your strengths, needs and accomplishments to your providers and others.
– A tool to help with care coordination.
– A tool to keep you organized and store all documents in one place.

– You or anyone (service providers, family, others) can assist in creating a Family Care Plan. It belongs to you.
– You or anyone can take this free course (insert training link & QR code) to better understand how to create one.
– If receiving CW supports, they can refer you to a treatment provider that can assist.

A Family Care Plan can be developed anytime. Ideally, it should be developed before or during pregnancy.

If a Family Care Plan has not been started during pregnancy, it should be developed after delivery but before leaving the hospital.
The earlier you start a Family Care Plan, the more time you have to prepare for your baby with support.
Be sure to work with your providers to update your Family Care Plan with new information to highlight your progress.

The Family Care Plan was designed for women with current or a history of substance use and infants who may have been exposed during pregnancy. However, we have found that many people can benefit from using this tool, including: – Families involved with child welfare or the court system.
– Families with social needs like food, clothing, housing, etc.
– Families trying to coordinate care across multiple systems, services, and providers.

A Family Care Plan should include input from all service providers involved in your care and the care of your child(ren).
Providers could include:
– Social worker /case manager
– OB/GYN and primary care doctor
– Substance use disorder treatment providers, case manager, or peer recovery coach
– Mental health provider
– Pediatrician
– Faith leaders or counselor
– Staff from home visiting programs

If you are not already in the system , whether voluntarily participating in treatment or leaving treatment, substance use during pregnancy does not require a referral to child welfare. This could change if there are other children in the home and providers believe the child is at risk of abuse or neglect, making the living environment unsafe.

Childcare resources may be available through certain treatment providers. Some have on-site childcare, some have arrangements with local childcare providers, and some will help you cover the cost of childcare.

If you qualify for halfway house or residential treatment, your child(ren) under 12 may be able to come with you. If you are in outpatient treatment you may be able to bring your children to the program or group, or childcare may be available. Be sure to ask your treatment provider about childcare options.

In Oklahoma, Inpatient treatment could involve living at a “halfway house,” residence with 24/7 care, but a less restrictive environment and less treatment hours than residential. “Residential” treatment means that you live at the place where you are receiving support and treatment. This type of care is best for someone who would not be able to stop using if they were living at home.

Outpatient treatment means you continue living at home and is more common than residential treatment. Depending on the amount of care you need to stop using, your treatment could take one or two hours a week or last for multiple hours a day, each day of the week.

Some treatment providers can and may help with transportation services and cost. Be sure to ask for more information from the treatment provider.

All patients and counselors in women-only treatment programs are women. At a co-ed facility, you would be in a women-only group most of the time, but men may join the groups for some topics. In co-ed facilities, you may also see and interact with men during meals and recreation time.

Some treatment programs provide diapers and formula to patients. In other cases, WIC, food stamps (SNAP), or program fees may cover these items. Learn more about Oklahoma’s WIC program and other state benefits that are available to families.

Oklahoma’s publicly-funded women’s treatment programs accept Medicaid. If you are not on Medicaid, these programs offer flexible payment plans and a sliding scale to make sure the cost of treatment is never a barrier between you and your health.

Pregnant women who are eligible for Oklahoma Medicaid can get treatment covered for free through Soonercare.

Yes. Your treatment program is not part of either system, but your counselors and providers can help with advocacy and support for you and your children.

You will never be kicked out of treatment if you are sincere about getting support. Relapses and struggles are a sign of addiction illness. Treatment is about finding a path to successfully overcoming an addiction. That process may take several attempts. If needed, your treatment may change to help you move forward. Our treatment providers are here to listen and provide unbiased support to meet you where you are in your journey to change and to strengthen your family.

Your family can be involved in your treatment so long as you are comfortable with their participation.
It’s up to you how much information you share with your friends and family. Your treatment provider will protect your privacy and not share information about your treatment with anyone without your consent.