Community Partner Highlight: Inspiring Hope for Arizona Moms and Babies
Jacob’s Hope is a specialty care nursery that offers 24/7 medical care to substance-exposed newborns during the withdrawal process, and support for moms to promote recovery and health.
You may have seen them in the news recently. Unfortunately, the nonprofit is at risk of closing. Right now, they are fully operational and doing everything they can to continue helping families. Consider donating to support their efforts: Donate - Jacob's Hope (jacobshopeaz.org).
Why their work is important
There are more than 2 babies born per day in our state that experience possible drug-related withdrawal symptoms according to data from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Stigma-free support
“Our goal is to connect with expectant mothers with a substance use disorder in the community and get them all the support and services they need for a happy, healthy, safe pregnancy,” Lyndsey Steele, Associate Director of Jacob’s Hope, said. “The moms that we work with face a lot of stigma. Many of them fear judgement and are not willing to go to a provider and say, ‘I’m on a medically assisted treatment program’ or ‘these are the substances I am using.’”
Jacob’s hope provides a safe space for them to get the help they need.
“When the families feel supported, they do better” Steele continued tearfully. “It gives moms a chance and they feel welcome here.”
Funding hope and health
Funding from the AZ Blue Foundation enabled Jacob’s Hope to add a Health and Social Services Liaison to the team to help with care coordination, patient education, and supportive services like therapy and parenting classes.
“Our goal is to really make sure that moms and families feel confident in their abilities to take care of their babies,” Kathryn McCormack, Social Services Liaison of Jacob’s Hope, explained. “The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome. Studies have shown that staying at a specialty care nursery reduces the amount of time that the infant has to stay in medical care, and it affects long-term outcomes substantially.”
Jacob’s Hope client perspective
“I think when you’re in that situation, it is kind of very helpless in the beginning,” Renee reflected at seven months pregnant. “Having a place to come put your anxiety to rest and have some resources that you can connect with, it’s just been great.”
You can provide support, too!
Again, Jacob’s Hope is looking for donations. Visit their website for more information on how to help: Get Involved - Jacob's Hope (jacobshopeaz.org).
Also, if you would like to help reduce substance use disorder stigma in Arizona, take our Stigma-Free AZ pledge! All you have to do is fill out this quick form: azblue.com/stigmafreeaz.