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Accessing Services
Substance Abuse / Addiction Services
Mothers' Intensive Supportive Treatment (MIST)
MIST is an intensive, long-term residential treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women with a history of substance use who are, or have recently been, abusing alcohol or other drugs. The treatment program reflects our community belief that in order to successfully address social problems emanating from drug use, we must fight the problem on several separate new fronts. We also believe that if we do not develop and implement viable intervention programs, our current at-risk infants and children will be the drug abusers of tomorrow.
This program allows infants to stay with their mothers in an attempt to facilitate the crucial bonding that occurs in an infant's early months of development, while allowing mothers to receive treatment and remain drug free during pregnancy and nursing. Currently, only infants may remain with the mother during her residential drug treatment program. Older children are encouraged to visit and participate in day treatment services, which are typically held between 8:00a.m. and 8:00p.m., with their mother or in scheduled family counseling.
This program provides a highly structured, supportive environment with professional and empathetic counseling and support services geared toward helping mothers learn new communication and coping strategies and develop the life skills needed to be sober and self sufficient.
This program provides intensive and/or intermediate residential services for women who are substance dependent (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, etc.) with associated problems such as family conflict, lack of personal goals, low self-esteem, poor communication skills, inadequate parenting skills, and unemployment. Services are designed to provide a drug-free, structured environment in which persons can become involved in community support groups that promote positive, drug-free behaviors, engage in supportive counseling services, and learn about the disease of addiction and tools for maintaining mental and physical health as well as effective parenting.
Prior to completing the residential program, women are encouraged to participate in the PATH Program, which assist in obtaining subsidized housing for low income families; secure Daycare services; obtain employment or enroll in school, and link into a community support network. When the woman is ready, she will graduate from the residential program and transition into the intensive outpatient program, which runs 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.