Drenda Nelson first came to Lily’s Place in 2021, right after the birth of her daughter.
“I was on Methadone with my child,” Drenda said. While the medication was prescribed and maintained at a professional clinic, her daughter was born with symptoms of withdrawal. When she was given the opportunity to have her baby transferred to Lily’s Place, Drenda said she jumped on it.
Drenda’s baby was diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) - the condition that results from a baby being exposed to substances during pregnancy. Lily’s Place provides observational, therapeutic, and pharmacologic specialized care during the weaning process and helps the infants go through the withdrawal process as comfortably as possible. Tours for the Lily’s Place NAS Center are an option at any time during pregnancy or afterward for prospective parents to see if Lily’s Place is the right choice for them once the baby arrives.
Drenda said the benefits of the Lily’s Place NAS Center that made the decision easy for her were the quiet environment and the one-on-one care from the nurses. At Lily’s Place, there are more than a dozen private nurseries equipped for the parents to room-in. This allows the parents to be more involved in the care of the baby and helps them develop the confidence they need when they care for their child at home.
“For me to be there and have my child, and her and I being able to bond together – they just provided us more of what it would be like if we were at home.” Drenda said. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the things they have offered me and my family. They have so many resources that anybody can reach out for.”
Lily’s Place began as the nation’s first NAS Center in 2014. Based on the anecdotal evidence gathered from our staff working with families at Lily’s Place, it was quickly determined that caring for the mother, and the family, would lead to the best outcome for everyone.
After discharge from Lily’s Place, families return regularly to the Lily’s Place follow-up clinic led by Dr. Mitzi Payne. Here, we offer a comprehensive clinic focusing on the child’s overall physical and mental development. The clinic is offered to children from ages 0-18 with a diagnosis of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, as well as children with reasonably suspected substance exposure in utero. During this clinic, families also have access to peer support and case management.
Lily’s Place began with the desire to care for prenatally exposed infants while supporting their mothers in a nonjudgmental environment. However, this was just a piece of what needed to occur for the long-term health and success of the baby. Lily’s Place has evolved to meet the needs of families. While the infants are the primary focus of what Lily’s Place NAS Center does, the scope of care offered is now much broader. The wraparound services the mothers and family members receive are just as important as the medical and therapeutic care given to the infants.
Lily’s Place care begins during the pregnancy, with prenatal classes for pregnant women with substance use disorder. These classes prepare women with the information and skills needed to care for their babies after birth through education and hands-on training. This includes educating women about NAS, helping develop a birth plan, topics of safe sleep and feeding and so much more, including addressing any fears or concerns the women may have. Classes are 9 sessions and can be joined at any stage of pregnancy. Free baby items are given at each class.
Parenting classes are another option and are offered as a 12-week course. Meetings are for one hour each week. Topics covered include communication, setting boundaries, managing stress, self-esteem and much more. The classes, which are free of charge, are encouraging and provided in a relaxed atmosphere. These classes follow the parenting in recovery curriculum that meet the requirements mandated by Child Protective Services, with a certificate provided upon completion.
It's important to make sure the parent gets all the mental health services they need as well! Through the Lily’s Place Family Center, any community member can participate in counseling, case management, and peer recovery support services. The counselors also help with recovery from substance use disorder, trauma, abuse, and intra family turmoil. Many techniques are used during the treatment process and the treatment plan is based on the individual needs of the person being served.
Peer recovery support is another great benefit to people in recovery. The peer recovery support specialists advocate for the people they serve, share resources, and help build skills, mentor, and help with setting goals. Case management services are also available as needed and can connect parents to resources in the community. Case management is dedicated to helping build stronger family foundations by removing barriers such as employment and transportation by helping families to become self-sufficient in addressing their basic living needs.
Lily’s Place recently added a Children’s Center, which offers a variety of services including but not limited to counseling and prevention to children through the age of 18. Group classes for parents and children meet weekly, engaging parenting families in small groups, with adult groups focusing on practical parenting techniques, and both adult and children groups participating in a curriculum that encourages problem-solving and decision-making skills, cultivating emotional control, and improving communication to promote healthy relationships.
Lily’s Place is available for everyone in a family and the services can have life-changing results.
“You can regain your life back,” Drenda said. “There is life after drugs and it is not bad. I get to be a mom, I get to be a wife, I get to live life as just a regular person. I’m happy. That’s what it’s given me. I’m happy.”