UConnectCare

to reduce (1) the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder (SUD) (including opioid use disorder (OUD)) and (2) the incidence and impact of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Genesee and Orleans Counties by improving systems of care, family supports, and social determinants of health. NAS is a group of conditions that can occur when newborns withdraw from certain substances, including opioids, that they were exposed to before birth. Our project goals are to: 1. Reduce structural- and systems-level barriers (e.g., transportation challenges, limited workforce, reimbursement issues, etc.) to: a. Increase access to behavioral health care, especially substance use disorders (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), services for rural pregnant and postpartum persons and their families; and b. Address community risk factors and social determinants of health. 2. Strengthen the quality and sustainability of behavioral health care services for rural pregnant and postpartum persons and their families by implementing coordinated, evidence-based, trauma-informed, family-centered SUD/OUD and other services.