The HOPE Program
Baptist Health Richmond: The HOPE Program
Baptist Health’s HOPE program provides support for mothers recovering from substance abuse and newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
The HOPE Program in Richmond, KY, HealthTalks Transcript
Kelsey Craft, MSW:
NAS is neonatal abstinence syndrome. It’s when a baby is exposed to a drug or medication in utero, and after they’re delivered, they experience withdrawal from that medication. The HOPE program was designed specifically for pregnant women with a history [of] or current substance use disorder.
Crystal Branscum:
I’m in the HOPE program to provide support to women in recovery and on their recovery journey. I’m in recovery myself, so I share my experience, truth and hope with them, guide them, and connect them to support in the community they need. This program works, and I have seen that. I have worked with someone in the HOPE group from being four months pregnant to her coming to the group the whole time. We celebrated one year of recovery with her. It inspires me to be able to be a part of HOPE. It’s just exactly what it is. Bringing hope to people — hope to the hopeless. It’s a wonderful feeling.
Kelsey Craft:
Anyone who’s interested, I encourage them to reach out. We really want to, or we try to, offer a very safe, nonjudgmental environment. We’re all very compassionate and caring, and we want to see them succeed. We want to see them have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy recovery journey. I encourage them to reach out, and we’ll meet them there and help them along this journey, together.
