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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Barbara May, RN, MPH¹, Suzanne Kinkle, RN, BS, CARN¹, Toni Primas, RN, CARN¹, Janet Margusity, BA², Pam Fricke, BA¹, and Julia Donlen, RN, DNSc, JD³. (1) Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Ave., #250, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, 856-665-6000, bmay@snjpc.org, (2) Weisman Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, 92 Brick Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053, (3) Southern NJ Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Ave, 250, Pennsauken, NJ 08109

Pregnant women at risk are identified by prenatal providers in southern New Jersey through routine use of the 4 P's Plus Screening Tool. A statewide initiative in 2003 introduced the 4 P's Plus and supported professional education to improve knowledge about the effects of substance use on mother and newborn. The effort also heightened professional awareness about the need for treatment and prevention education during the prenatal period. By early 2005, prenatal and substance abuse treatment providers were communicating frequently about the needs of pregnant substance using women and their babies. A high level of concern was developing among them about inconsistencies and gaps in the service system. To address these concerns, a regional summit was convened in May, 2005, with support from key state agencies by the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative (the regional maternal and child health consortium) and Weisman Children's Rehab Hospital. The goal of the Summit was to engage representatives of every agency involved in the care of substance using pregnant women in the development of a blueprint for action to improve the system of care. Invited participants worked on one of six workgroups which highlighted cross-cutting issues such as access to care, cultural barriers and gaps in services as they related to the pregnant substance-using population. A summary report of recommended strategies and action steps developed by Summit workgroups was prepared and distributed to policymakers and other key stakeholders. The presenter will share details about methods used and tools developed to conduct the Summit workgroups.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant(learner) will be able to

• list 3 key partners to engage in identifying gaps in service to substance abusing women
• recognize the 4P's Plus Screening tool
• identify 6 workgroups that might be utilized to outline action steps to address gaps in service

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered