Brigid’s Path is the first facility in Ohio and the second in the nation to offer an in-patient, home-like approach to serving babies born exposed to addictive substances.
Most babies served by the organization have come from Montgomery County, but the nonprofit also has also served families from Warren, Greene, Miami, Butler, Fayette and Clinton counties.
The allocation from the current state operating budget was one of the priorities set by Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration to better serve “multi-system youth,” including children and youth involved in multiple public systems, such as Medicaid and Child Welfare.
ODM Director Maureen Corcoran said Brigid’s Path has made great strides in helping families and babies.
“No mother should have to choose between getting treatment for herself or her baby,” Corcoran said. “If we can help both mom and her baby, we increase the likelihood that the family can stay together and prevent costly child welfare involvement. When you look into the eyes of moms served at Brigid’s Path, you can see what a difference this is making.”
Jill Kingston, executive director of Brigid’s Path, said the $3 million will help the non-profit continue to offer medical and supportive services to infants born exposed to addictive substances such as prescription medication, opioids or other drugs.
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“We are profoundly grateful to Gov. DeWine for his longtime support of Brigid’s Path and to ODM Director Maureen Corcoran for her genuine understanding of the needs affecting the babies and families we serve,” Kingston said. “Their leadership to develop a sustainable model of service delivery will help us achieve the best possible long-term outcomes for our families.”
Brigid’s Path uses the latest therapeutic techniques – both pharmacological and nonpharmacological – to help babies as they experience withdrawal.
The organization also works with community partners to provide resources for moms to achieve the stability that will help them care for their children for both the near- and long-term.
“Through September, we have served 60 families in our 21 months of operation,” Kingston said. “ODM and Brigid’s Path look forward to working together to develop and share best practices with community-based organizations that care for babies born drug-exposed and their mothers.”
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