MAYVILLE, N.Y. — As National Child Health Month comes to a close this October, the Chautauqua County Health Department (CCHD) is taking the opportunity to highlight the ongoing efforts to address Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). We want to focus on initiatives that matter. It has been recognized for more than 50 years to affect many newborns here in Chautauqua County. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recognizes the importance of early intervention services for children with NAS and will now automatically qualify children with NAS for services provided through CCHD. You will be able to do this.
According to the NYSDOH Opioid Data Dashboard, Chautauqua County has a higher proportion of infants diagnosed with neonatal withdrawal syndrome or affected by their mothers’ addictive drug use compared to comparison groups across the state. NAS occurs when a newborn experiences withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to opioids, antidepressants, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines (sedatives) during pregnancy. Some withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors, irritability, sleep disturbances, and seizures, usually appear within the first 72 hours of birth. Factors that affect the severity of symptoms include the type and amount of exposure to the substance, the timing of substance use, and whether the baby was born full-term or premature.
For the first time, children with NAS will be eligible for CCHD’s early intervention program. This will ensure exposed children are connected to medical resources, in-home supports, and intervention strategies early, resulting in rapid improvements in health outcomes.
Amy Snyder, who provides occupational therapy services in CCHD’s Early Intervention Program, fully supports this addition. Amy explains: “This new automatic certification will allow babies to be seen immediately without having to wait for a doctor or hospital referral and then go through a longer evaluation process. Babies born with a positive test are at higher risk of developmental delays; they often have difficulties with regulatory skills. They are not skilled at self-soothing and may become irritable or irritable, and may have feeding problems such as poor sucking ability. It’s much easier to utter it, prevent it from becoming a pattern, and go back and revise it once it’s part of your child’s repertoire.”
Early intervention program staff work with children from birth to three years of age and their families, providing assistance and support to promote development based on the child’s individual needs. Services are free to the child’s family and include developmental evaluations, home visits, speech therapy, physical therapy, and other therapies.
“Advocating and working with the most vulnerable among us is a very meaningful job for us at the Department of Health. Promoting the health and future of our children is our mission. It’s not only central to the work we do as a department, but essential to the public’s health, and we’re excited to be able to reach more babies and families faster.” Lacey Wilson said. “Our EI program is just one of our many amazing mother and baby health programs that aim to promote happy, healthy lives and prevent negative outcomes. We are excited to expand our reach in this way as we continue to work with our community partners to ensure a healthier future for children.”
Early intervention programs provide services to support families with children, including:
Medical Resources: Provides resources related to developmental conditions associated with NAS, including prematurity, seizures, gastritis, and failure to thrive. In-home support: Works with children in the home environment to accommodate the child and family’s daily routines and activities. Strategies and Interventions: Help families identify specific strategies and interventions for feeding difficulties, adaptation to sensory stimulation, sleep, learning, social interaction, and more. Connect to resources: Facilitate referrals to services that address substance abuse, mental health, medical care, and other supports.
For more information about CCHD’s early intervention program, visit HealthyCHQ.com/Kids.
For more information about NAS, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/opioid-use-during-pregnancy/about/.
About the Chautauqua County Health Department – The Chautauqua County Health Department is Chautauqua County’s primary public health organization dedicated to supporting the health of our communities. The Department of Health takes an innovative approach to providing technical assistance to partner organizations and implementing a variety of programs and services to help prevent disease, protect public health, and promote health and wellness throughout the community. We offer For more information, please visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.
