ARIZONA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP AWARDED GRANT TO IMPLEMENT LINKING ACTIONS FOR HEALTHY MOTHERS & BABIES PROGRAM IN GILA COUNTY
[GILA COUNTY, AZ] — Arizona Youth Partnership (AZYP) is thrilled to announce that it has secured funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to implement the Linking Actions for Healthy Mothers & Babies (LAHMB) program in Gila County, Arizona. This grant marks a significant advancement in improving healthcare for young pregnant and parenting families in the area.
Gila County leads Arizona in the incidence of opioid overdose and death (49.9/100,000. Rates among women of childbearing age have been steadily climbing at a rate of 2% increase per year, with Gila County reported as one of two counties with the highest Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome incidence rates in Arizona. The month of October signifies National Substance Use Prevention Month, and Arizona Youth Partnership along with community partners are coming together to address the vital role substance abuse prevention plays in both individual and community health.
The LAHMB program aims to reduce Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) by implementing a comprehensive approach across the preconception, prenatal, and postpartum phases. It will engage, educate, and coordinate services for at-risk substance users, pregnant individuals, and parents in Gila County.
NAS is a condition that occurs when newborns withdraw from substances, including opioids, they were exposed to before birth, leading to symptoms such as tremors, irritability, and sleep problems.
The LAHMB Consortium's comprehensive approach includes the following key components:
Early Identification and Intervention: Improving early identification and intervention for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) among pregnant women and mothers.
Labor and Delivery Practices: Enhancing labor and delivery practices to meet the unique needs of mothers with SUD.
Postpartum Support: Strengthening postpartum support for both mothers and babies.
Outreach and Education: Expanding outreach and education efforts related to healthy pregnancy, parenting, and SUD disease prevention.
Data Collection: Improving coordinated and uniform data collection procedures among service providers.
Sara Sherman says, “AZYP is honored to receive HRSA funding for the LAHMB program, which will improve the well-being of young pregnant and parenting families.” AZYP is addressing issues like substance abuse, prenatal care, and postpartum support, and aims to enhance overall health outcomes for mothers and babies in the region.
For more information about the LAHMB program, please contact Sara Sherman at 520.719.2014 or SaraS@azyp.org.
###
Since 1990, Arizona Youth Partnership (AZYP) has been a leader in Arizona, providing prevention and community resources to support youth in becoming healthy, self-sufficient adults. AZYP offers a range of programs for youth and families to increase youth skills, family cohesion and create safe communities. AZYP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Visit www.azyp.org for details.