Education also emphasizes breastfeeding when appropriate. These efforts have helped keep babies in their home communities by not requiring them to be transferred to hospitals with higher levels of care, saving the system money and improving quality by promoting mother and infant bonding.
A new curriculum provides community-based pediatric providers the latest evidence-based information on the effects of intrauterine substance exposure on children and resources available for families affected by this exposure. The education highlights policy changes to WV Project WATCH, specifically notifications being sent to pediatric providers on NAS diagnosis and Hepatitis C exposure. Best practices and evidence-based care for babies and young children affected by maternal substance are shared.