CHARITY SPOTLIGHT { giving back } KNOWN FOR: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every 15 minutes, a baby is born with neonatal abstinence syndrome resulting from the mother’s prenatal opioid exposure. Newborns exposed to opioids in the womb are at risk for NAS, an opiate-dependent state, which requires a complex and painful detoxification process in the days after birth. NAS babies are the tiniest victims of today’s opioid crisis, one exacerbated by barriers to healthcare access and equity for infants and families. In response, Hushabye Nursery has pioneered the first nurse-managed, community-based care model in the country to provide medical treatment for babies experiencing NAS along with intensive behavioral health services for families impacted by opioid use disorder. Hushabye Nursery increases accessibility, reduces inequities and provides value by lowering cost and improving patient outcomes. Caregivers encourage families to get involved in the treatment of their infant by sending an empowering, nonjudgmental message to parents. CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated opioid use disorder. Incidences With education, treatment and support, most parents active in Hushabye’s prenatal HOPPE program are able to bring their babies home with them. NOV/DEC 2021 | 70 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

of overdose increased by approximately 30 percent nationwide, making Hushabye Nursery’s services even more essential. The pandemic also required rapidly adding telehealth services to provide continuity of care and safe access for providers and patients in high-risk COVID-19 categories. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: Hushabye encourages but does not require mothers to stay with their infant 24/7, be highly involved in their care, and work to become the best parents they can be. Demonstrating the power in prevention interventions, 85 percent of the first 139 babies admitted to Hushabye’s Infant Detox Nursery were safely discharged to a biological parent active in the Hushabye Nursery Opioid Pregnancy Preparation and Empowerment (HOPPE) prenatal program. WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO: Hushabye Nursery programs focus on perseverance, teaching individuals to get back up and begin again. Sundem and her team are most looking forward to watching more moms create lives full of love and meaning for themselves and their children. To learn more, go to hushabyenursery.org . CatholicCharitiesAZ.org 928-774-9125 | Info@cc-az.org *This is not intended as legal advice; please consult your tax professional. Tax liability varies by filer. It doesn’t cost you a dime when you redirect your state tax liability.* Catholic Charities is an approved Foster Care Tax Credit Organization for our work with foster families and children, at-risk youth, early education and more. Invest by April 15, and help build happy, healthy families in our community. GIVE HOPE WITH YOUR TAX CREDIT!