Impact - Protecting Against Childhood Trauma

I'MPACT SERVES PREGNANT/POSTPARTUM WOMEN ("PPW") AND THEIR INFANTS BORN DEPENDENT ON OPIOIDS AND SUFFERING FROM NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME ("NAS"). THE MISSION OF I'MPACT IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE CARE HARBOR FOR NAS INFANTS WHILE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING ARE ESTABLISHED WITH BIOLOGICAL PARENTS OR CREATED THROUGH KINSHIP/FOSTER CARE. I'MPACT WILL SERVE POSTPARTUM MOTHERS WITH OPIOID USE DISORDERS AND THEIR INFANTS WITH NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME.

I'MPACT'S TIOGA COUNTY CASA PROGRAM SERVED ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN IN THE DEPENDENCY COURT SYSTEM THROUGH BEST-INTEREST ADVOCACY. I'MPACT'S NURTURE ME PROGRAM SERVED DRUG-AFFECTED INFANTS AND THEIR MOTHERS BY PROVIDING A PLAN OF SAFE CARE AND REFERRAL SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED $4,050 IN IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE CALENDER YEAR END DECEMBER 31, 2021.

PROGRAM SUMMARYTHE PRIMARY FOCUS OF ASA'S PLACE IS TO SERVE AS A RESIDENTIAL PEDIATRIC RECOVERY CENTER (RPRC) TO PROVIDE HEALING FOR BABIES AND THEIR PARENTS IN A MEDICALLY-BASED, FAMILY-FOCUSED IN-PATIENT CENTER FOR NEWBORNS AND THEIR MOTHERS AFFECTED BY DRUG USE. EACH PLACEMENT IS EXPECTED TO LAST UP TO 90-DAYS AND IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF BOTH MOTHERS AND INFANTS WHILE BEING INCLUSIVE OF AND RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF FATHERS, CAREGIVERS AND EXTENDED FAMILIES. SERVICES (A MIX OF ONSITE AND OFFSITE) INCLUDE: PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME (NAS) TREATMENT, MUSIC THERAPY, SUD COUNSELING AND MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT, PEER RECOVERY COACHING AND FAITH-BASED SUPPORTS. PARENTING TRAINING AND INFANT/PARENT BONDING, PLAN OF SAFE CARE COORDINATION AND FAMILY SUPPORTS NUTRITIONIST/DIETITIAN SERVICES AND WIC, AND HOME VISITOR PROGRAMS.THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF NURTURE ME POSC IS TO INCREASE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF BABIES WHO ARE BORN AFFECTED BY PRENATAL DRUG DRUG/ALCOHOL EXPOSURE. A PLAN OF SAFE CARE (POSC) IS A DOCUMENT THAT IDENTIFIES, ENCOURAGES AND COORDINATES NECESSARY SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR THE BABIES AND FOR THEIR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS. TO PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE INFANTS AND THEIR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS. THE POSC IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL (CAPTA) AND STATE (ACT 54) LAWS, BUT PARENT PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPING THE POSC AND RECEIVING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IS VOLUNTARY. THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PARENTS IN BEST MEETING THEIR OWN PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF THEIR NEWBORNS. ADDITIONALLY, HAVING A POSC THAT PARENTS EMBRACE AND ENGAGE WITH LESSENS THE NEED FOR CHILD WELFARE INVOLVEMENT SUBSTANTIALLY.THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE TIOGA COUNTY COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) PROGRAM IS TO ADVOCATE FOR FOSTER CARE CHILDREN IN THE DEPENDENCY COURT SYSTEM TO ENSURE THEIR RIGHT TO A SAFE, LOVING AND PERMANENT FAMILY. CASA VOLUNTEERS DEVOTE THEIR ATTENTION TO ONE CHILD OR A SIBLING GROUP, CLOSELY MONITORING EACH CHILD'S SITUATION AND ENSURING THEIR NEEDS ARE MET. AS THE JUVENILE COURT'S EYES AND EARS FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, THESE VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES SPEAK UP ON THEIR CHILD'S BEHALF AND HELP THEM THROUGH WHAT IS OFTEN A CONFUSING AND SCARY TIME. A CASA IS OFTEN THE ONLY CONSISTENT ADULT PRESENCE IN A FOSTER CHILD'S LIFETHE ONE PERSON A CHILD CAN TRULY COUNT ON TO ADVOCATE FOR HIS OR HER'S BEST INTEREST.THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE TIOGA COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER (CAC) IS TO PROVIDE FORENSIC ASSESSMENTS AND TRAUMA-FOCUSED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. SERVICES INCLUDE MEDICAL EXAMS AND ASSESSMENTS, FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, VICTIM ADVOCACY SERVICES, TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, CASE REVIEW, CASE TRACKING, EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY, CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION EDUCATION, AND MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING.