Description: The First Steps Database (FSDB) has provided a unique
opportunity to study women identified as substance abusers during and after
pregnancy and their children's outcomes. A series of Research and Data Analysis
(RDA) division studies have focused on the special needs of pregnant
substance-abusing women and the risk of poor outcomes for their children. RDA
developed an expanded database including administrative data and client-specific
data for women who receive services through three projects known as Safe Babies,
Safe Moms (Formerly Comprehensive Program Evaluation Project). These projects
are modeled on the principles discussed in the January 1999 report to the
Washington state legislature, "A Comprehensive Program for Alcohol and Drug
Abusing Mothers and Their Young Children." The resulting data base added
employment security and criminal justice data to the FSDB and, for clients
receiving services, included participant identification information, measures
routinely used in assessing client needs, and information pertaining to services
received.
The primary goal of Safe Babies, Safe Moms is to help in the
establishment of a statewide program designed to improve the health and
welfare of substance-abusing mothers and their young children. Using
the three sites, the evaluation will determine the extent to which the
project has been effective in: 1) the early identification of pregnant
substance abusers; 2) improving access to health care services; and 3)
providing family-oriented early intervention services for mothers and
their young children.
Client services in Safe Babies, Safe Moms are based upon four core services: 1) additional capacity for residential chemical dependency treatment for pregnant and parenting women; 2) behavioral health services and counseling for the mother; 3) child development services; and 4) parenting education curriculum.
Reports:
- Safe Babies, Safe Moms, Program Evaluation, 2003 (4.36e)
Comprehensive Program Evaluation Project: Program - Development and Implementation, 2001 (4.36f)
- Comprehensive Program Evaluation Project: Program Evaluation
Preliminary Report, 2000 (4.36a)
Fact Sheets:
- Safe Babies, Safe Moms, 2004 (4.36f)
- Safe Babies, Safe Moms, 2003 (4.36d)
- Comprehensive Program Evaluation Project: Safe Babies, Safe Moms, 2002 (4.36c)
Related Report:
- First Steps PLUS: Yakima First Steps Mobilization Project for Pregnant Substance Abusers, 1996 (7.71)
- Report to the Legislature, A Comprehensive Program for Alcohol
and Drug Abusing Mothers and Their Young Children, Response to RCW
13.34.803 (Chapter 13, Laws of 1998, Section 40), 1999 (7.98)
Related Fact Sheets:
- Substance Abuse, Treatment, and Birth Outcomes for Pregnant and Postpartum Women, 1995 (4.26)
- Safe Babies, Safe Moms, Program Evaluation, 2003 (4.36e)
- Comprehensive Program Evaluation Project: Program Development and Implementation, 2001 (4.36f)
- Comprehensive Program Evaluation Project: Program Evaluation Preliminary Report, 2000 (4.36a)
Contact: Laurie Cawthon, telephone: 360.902-0712
