The Help2Quit program is a project funded by the Bureau for Public Health to improve birth outcomes in West Virginia by reducing tobacco use before, during and after pregnancy.
We know you are concerned about your pregnant and parenting patients who continue to use tobacco. Even a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked will have a positive impact on maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce Medicaid expenses. Training, including nursing contact hours and assistance, is provided at a location that is convenient for you and your staff, completely free of charge.
In collaboration with the Division of Tobacco Prevention and the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, the Perinatal Partnership developed the Help2Quit program to provide the skills and resources perinatal health care providers need to help their patients quit smoking. The Perinatal Partnership provides training and technical assistance on evidence-based tobacco cessation screening and treatment strategies to obstetrical and pediatric practices.
Training Topics
The Perinatal Partnership provides training and technical assistance on evidence- based tobacco cessation screening and treatment strategies to obstetrical, pediatric, and family practice providers and their staff.
Evidence-based, best practice brief counseling intervention – the 5 A’s
Motivational interviewing techniques
Pharmacotherapy, including medications appropriate during pregnancy and lactation
Billing, including CPT codes, reimbursement rates, and other FAQs
Information about the WV Quitline and how to proactively refer to the service
How to access and use free tobacco cessation patient education materials
How to help those who are not ready to quit – harm reduction and the 5 R’s
Integrating tobacco use screening and treatment into clinic work-flow
“Our focus with Help2Quit is to give providers a resource to effectively screen and counsel their patients, or parents of patients, about tobacco and nicotine use. We offer evidence-based cessation interventions that will keep entire families safe from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products and prevent children and young people from initiation.”
-Juliana Frederick Curry, MS
Director, Help2Quit Project
How the Program Works
- Pregnant women eligible to enroll in the program are referred to their local agency implementing the program.
- Women attend four prenatal counseling cessation sessions to receive education and support for quitting smoking and staying quit, and test using a carbon monoxide (CO) monitor (breath test).
- At prenatal sessions 3 and 4, women may receive their first two diaper vouchers, if they test tobacco-free.
- After the birth of the baby, women return monthly to continue CO monitoring and if proven to be smoke-free, receive a monthly diaper voucher for up to twelve months postpartum.
- Diaper vouchers can be used for any brand or size of diapers at Walmart and/or local participating stores when applicable.
- A smoker who lives with the pregnant woman can also enroll into the program and if successfully quits smoking, may receive diaper vouchers during the postpartum period.
