Addressing Maternal Opioid Misuse Through a Statewide Grant

7% of infants in Maine have substance exposure at birth, one of the highest rates in the U.S.

Maine has the 3rd highest rate of substance exposed newborns, following Vermont and West Virginia. Among Maine counties there is wide variation in substance exposure for infants. In 2021, the number of babies born drug exposed and/or affected exceeded 10% in 5 of Maine's 16 counties: Androscoggin, Washington, Aroostook, Piscataquis and Oxford. By contrast, York, Cumberland, Franklin, Sagadahoc and Hancock all had rates below 4% or 1 in 25 births.

Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was awarded $5.3 million to employ the MaineMOM model to provide maternal and substance use treatments to pregnant and postpartum individuals. Through a team-based approach to care, providers work with patients to create specialized treatment plans for counseling, recovery support, treatment and family planning. As of July 2021, Maine DHHS is partnering with MaineHealth, MaineGeneral Health, Northern Light Health and Pines Health Services to offer MaineMOM services.

Tracking Progress

• Since July 2021, 80 participants have enrolled through MaineHealth practices and about half are still active in the program.
• 8 out of 9 MaineHealth hospitals are actively enrolling MaineMOM patients.
• As part of this effort, MaineHealth has worked to improve perinatal care for all patients by implementing universal screening protocols for:
  • Substance use during pregnancy
  • Hepatitis C in pregnancy

Learn more about the MaineMOM program or view MaineMOM clinical resources for providers.

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