Pregnant Women, Women with Dependent Children - IDHS 4102 (pdf)

State of Illinois
Department of Human Services

Specially designed comprehensive and holistic substance use disorder programs in Illinois.

Five Core Services to be provided directly or arranged for the provision of in set aside programs which are designed by the state for pregnant women and women with dependent children:

* Primary medical care, including referral for prenatal care and, while the women are receiving such services, child care.

* Primary pediatric care, including immunizations, for their children.

* Gender-specific substance use disorder treatment and other therapeutic interventions for women which may address issues of relationships, sexual and physical abuse and parenting, and child care while women are receiving such services.

* Therapeutic interventions for children in the custody of women in treatment which may, among other things, address their developmental needs, their issues of sexual and physical abuse, and neglect.

* Sufficient case management and transportation to ensure that women and their children have access to the services provided by (e) (1) through (4) of this section.

  • The family must be treated as a unit. When appropriate, children should be admitted with mothers into treatment.
  • Women with dependent children include women in treatment who are attempting to regain custody of their children.

Treatment services are available at no cost for individuals not eligible for Medicaid through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant. Pregnant women seeking substance use disorder treatment in Illinois are given priority admission status.

Priority Populations:

1) Pregnant women with injecting drug use

2) Pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD)

3) Individuals with injecting drug use

4) All others including post-partum women and women with children; DCFS referred persons; TANF; DOC releases

If treatment capacity is unavailable for a pregnant woman seeking services, interim services will be made available no later than 48 hours after she has sought treatment.

Interim services include counseling and education about HIV and tuberculosis (TB), about the risks of needle-sharing, the risks of transmission to sexual partners and infants, and about steps that can be taken to ensure that HIV and TB transmission does not occur, as well as referral for HIV or TB treatment services if necessary. For pregnant women, interim services also include counseling on the effects of alcohol and drug use on the fetus, as well as referral for prenatal care.

Other services that are offered either directly or through linkages with community based organizations:

* case management to assist in establishing eligibility for public assistance programs;

  • employment and training programs;
  • education and special education programs;

* alcohol and drug-free housing for women and their children;

* prenatal care and other healthcare services;

* Therapeutic day care for children, Head Start, & other early childhood programs.

Effects of Alcohol and Opioids on Your Infant:

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) may:

  • Be born small.
  • Have problems eating and sleeping.
  • Have problems seeing and hearing.
  • Have trouble following directions and learning how to do simple things.

* Have trouble paying attention and learning in school.

  • Need special teachers and schools.
  • Have trouble getting along with others and controlling their behavior.

* Need medical care all their lives.

Opioid use by pregnant women may affect their infants. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is the term used to describe the clinical findings typically associated with the opioid withdrawal in newborns.

  • hypersensitivity
  • hyperirritability
  • tremors
  • vomiting
  • respiratory difficulties
  • poor sleep
  • low-grade fevers*

*Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A Collaborative Approach to the Treatment of Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorders. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 16-4978.  Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016.

If you have any issues accessing specialized services, please contact:

Women's Service Coordinator

Illinois Department of Human Services

Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)

401 S. Clinton Street, 2nd Floor

Chicago, IL 60607-3800

(312) 814-3840

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx

Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances.

* Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for individuals experiencing opioid use disorders, families, and anyone affected by the disease.

* Confidential and free. Helpline specialists are trained in evidence-based approaches to help connect callers with treatment services and recovery support services.

To reach the Helpline, call 1-833-2FINDHELP or http://www.helplineil.org/.

Illinois adheres to the following federal regulations:  Department of Health and Human Services: 45 CFR Part 96, Subpart L: Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants


Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.

IDHS 4102 (N-05-18) Pregnant Women, Women with Dependent Children Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 200 copies PO#18-1727