RiverValley gets grant to aid pregnant women, moms with substance abuse challenges

Scott Hagerman, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
·2 min read

RiverValley Behavioral Health is launching a ROSES for Moms program designed to provide support to pregnant and parenting women facing substance abuse challenges.

ROSES is an acronym for recovery, opportunity, support, empowerment and success.

The program offers a range of services, including personalized support, case management, access to behavioral and physical health services, housing assistance and career development opportunities.

"We're going to follow them when they get into residential treatment, which is typically a 30-day treatment, and we're going to follow them over the next 18 months to 24 months and give them very intensive levels of extra care so that they can be more successful," said Dr. Lionel Phelps, RVBH's vice president of population health. "So we don't have the limitations that we do with normal treatment, where it's time limited, and we may have fewer staff. We're going to have a team that's devoted specifically to these women and their families."

RVBH received funding for the program through a 5-year, $2.6 million grant from the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It's one of 20 recipients of the grant.

"I think we were in a good position because of our existing services and our geographic region, with high rates of infant mortality in Kentucky," Phelps said. "All of those things really aligned us into getting this funding."

Phelps said the program is committed to empowering women and keeping families together.

"We're trying to help them keep the children and to move into recovery so they don't have social services involvement and they can lead happy, healthy and productive lives — and so can their children," Phelps said.

While RVBH offers many services geared toward expecting mothers and moms through other programs, the funding for the ROSES program will set it apart, said Phelps, who anticipates 500 women will be served through the grant.

"We have extra money and resources to devote to those 500 women that we wouldn't normally have," Phelps said, "so I would say the impact is going to be very significant."

RVBH will hold a program introduction luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, at the Crowne, 107 E. 2nd St. The pubic, community leaders and partners are invited to attend to learn about the program, how to refer participants and to collaborate with the RVBH team to empower moms in their recovery journey.

"As we celebrate Mental Health Month and Mother's Day, we are thrilled to introduce the ROSES for Moms program," said Dr. Wanda Figueroa, president and CEO of RVBH. "This program represents a significant step forward in supporting the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting women in our community.

"By providing comprehensive support and resources, we aim to empower women to overcome barriers to recovery and create brighter futures for themselves and their families."