Here’s a short preview of our video interview:

January is #SUDTreatmentMonth

This Friday, I was honored to stand alongside colleagues & community advocates as @massgovernor.bsky.social signed a bill to end automatic CPS reporting for parents receiving SUD treatment 💜

7/ Many people to thank for this long-needed reform -- personally, very grateful for thoughtful collaborators at BMC, and LOTS of admiration for the experts & patients who have advanced this work for years. Has been an honor to help tell this story.

Bill announcement:
www.mass.gov/news/governo...

4/ In May '21, after a multi-year & multi-disciplinary process, Boston Medical Center became the first in MA to implement trauma-informed guidelines for when to report prenatal substance exposure.

TL;DR: reports should be filed only in the presence of expert-identified protective concerns.

3/ Researchers in MA & nationwide have proven punitive approaches to address prenatal substance use don't work.

Coupling evidence-based SUD treatment w/CPS reporting exacerbates stigma, loss to follow-up, & more.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

So, how do we change reporting systems safely?

2/ For parents w/SUD, joyful first moments with their newborns are often shaped by fears of CPS reporting.

Mandated reporting is driven by #CAPTA - a vague federal law. Most birthing hospitals still report for exposure to:
💊 Illegal/non-prescribed opioids
💊 MOUD
💊 Rx'd opioids for chronic pain

1/ 🧵 Exciting news in MA today -- @massgovernor.bsky.social signed a bill ending mandated #CPS reporting for prenatal #MOUD exposure!

This is a huge win for children & families across the Commonwealth, and a product of years of advocacy + research ❤️❤️
#PedsSky #MedSky
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...