Theme: Models of Care Year: 2023
Background:
The Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP) is a three-year, trauma-informed intervention that provides support, advocacy, and service connection to birthing people who use substances (BPWUS). In 2018, New Brunswick (NB) Social Pediatrics adapted and launched PCAP in NB, Canada in response to the growing number of families impacted by substance-use and the number of babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and other negative physical and psychosocial consequences of substance exposure in utero.
Description of model of care/intervention:
PCAP’s theoretical framework has three main components: relational theory, stages of change, and harm reduction. The client and target child (born from most recent pregnancy) are paired with an Advocate who facilitates client-driven goal setting, mitigation of barriers, role-modeling of positive relationships, service connection, and community-building activities. Advocates have a caseload of 16-20 families each and see clients twice monthly. Advocates become a consistent and supportive person to clients and help them to build their self-efficacy over three years and avoid future substance- or alcohol-exposed pregnancies.
Effectiveness:
During the pilot phase, 71 PCAP clients were enrolled in PCAP, 19 of which have now graduated. Eighty percent of client’s subsequent pregnancies were considered “non-exposed”, which means there was no substance or alcohol use during the pregnancy. Upon program exit, 69% of clients were abstinent from using substances. Many clients engaged in recreation activities (41%), skills training (37%), and academic or vocation activities (18%) while in the program.
Conclusion and next steps:
The pilot phase of PCAP demonstrated that reducing barriers and stigma while using a harm reduction approach can help lead families impacted by substance-use to healthier outcomes and more community connections. When birthing people are victims of generational trauma, it is essential to provide equitable, dignified support to prevent the cycle from continuing.