Creating Healthy Families

Maternal Substance Use Disorder and Its Impact on Families

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Advancing Health Equity for All Families

We know that effective treatment and coordinated care for women and mothers with Substance Use Disorder leads to better birth outcomes, decreased maternal and fetal deaths, and lower rates of custody loss. At Creating Healthy Families: Maternal Substance Use Disorder and Its Impact on Families we heard from thought leaders and subject matter experts as they discussed the emerging trends in maternal substance use disorder as well as how the Indiana community is working together to advance health equity.

Why this Panel Discussion

  • Addiction is a public health issue that impacts the entire community.
  • Overdose and opioid-related deaths climbed 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In Indiana, Substance Use Disorder was the most common contributing factor to maternal deaths, likely contributing to over half of all pregnancy-associated maternal deaths in 2018.
  • The opioid epidemic has been identified as one reason for increases in children removed from homes and placed in foster care, with a large percentage of removals due to parental substance misuse in Indiana

Event Photos

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Opening Remarks

  • John R. von Arx III

    President & CEO
    Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

  • Douglas Huntsinger

    Executive Director
    Indiana Drug Prevention, Treatment & Enforcement

  • Terry Stigdon

    Director
    Indiana Department of Child Services

Moderator & Panelists

  • Anne Marie Tiernon

    Moderator

    Anchor
    WTHR/NBC

  • Dr. Kristina Box

    State Health Commissioner
    Indiana Department of Health

  • Chief Justice Loretta Rush

    Indiana Supreme Court

  • Brooke Schaefer, NP

    Director of Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Programs
    Community Health Network

  • Lindsay Baywol

    Policy Manager, Coverage and Benefits Unit
    Indiana Family and Social Services Administration

  • Jessica Bosecker

    Clinical Services Supervisor
    Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

Thank you to our sponsors