The STRENGTH Program at UPMC in Central Pa.

Steps to Recovery, Encouraging New Moms, and Giving them Hope.

Mission Statement:

Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the STRENGTH program is committed to providing medication assisted therapy, behavioral health therapy and prenatal care for opioid dependent pregnant women. Providing these services will help decrease the incidence and or severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome. The program will work to fight the stigma this unique population faces from their family, social networks and society by addressing the patient’s fears, guilt and treatment resistance.

Vision:

The STRENGTH program at UPMC will be the leader in the central Pa. area in providing physical, mental and emotional care for the opioid dependent pregnant woman to decrease the devastating effects that drug dependence can have on the patient, her unborn child and her family.

Our Services:

The STRENGTH Program at UPMC in Central Pa. offers:

• Consultations
• Centering prenatal visits
• Medication assisted therapy with Subutex
• Social services support
• Referrals for behavioral health counseling

With the help and support of local obstetricians and other health care providers, we identify pregnant women who are opioid dependent and assess their readiness to commit to medication assisted therapy with Subutex.

1. Our program can decrease the incidence, severity and high medical costs associated with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
2. The STRENGTH Program provides a safe and nurturing environment for relationship-centered prenatal care (Centering Pregnancy Model) to facilitate interactive learning, peer support and community building.
3. The staff of the STRENGTH Program provides education to the community to reduce the stigma of addiction in the pregnant population in central Pa.

You are you eligible for the STRENGTH program if you have:

• Confirmed pregnancy
• Diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder
• Engagement and commitment to the STRENGTH program
• Reliable transportation (Please contact us if you need help with transportation. We may be able to help!)

We are off to a great start with several women successfully participating in the STRENGTH Program.

Contact Us

Call us at 717-231-8640 with any questions and to determine if we would be a good fit for you, your baby and your family.

Learn more about Eat, Sleep and Console.