The TIES (Team for Infants Exposed to Substance use) Program is a specialized, family-centered initiative focused on supporting pregnant and postpartum women impacted by substance use. Grounded in compassion, education, and evidence-based practices, TIES offers services designed to reduce substance use, improve family health and stability, and foster long-term recovery. Through wraparound care that includes both the parent and child, the program promotes brighter futures—one family at a time.

Who The Program Serves

TIES supports pregnant individuals and new mothers up to six months after childbirth, along with their families. Participants must be 18 years or older. While the focus is on maternal substance use, the program recognizes that substance use affects the entire family. Therefore, services are inclusive of all household members and address family dynamics, parenting challenges, and the overall home environment.

A Critical Window For Change

Pregnancy and the months following childbirth present a unique opportunity for transformation. During this time, many women are deeply motivated to make changes that will benefit both themselves and their children. The TIES Program harnesses that motivation by offering nonjudgmental, supportive services that connect women to the help they need—right when they’re most ready to accept it.

Services Offered

TIES does not provide traditional addiction counseling with certified substance use disorder (SUD) counselors. However, the program plays a vital role in the recovery journey by:

• Educating families about substance use disorders and available treatments

•  Supporting access to treatment options and recovery programs

• Promoting physical and mental wellness for both parents and children

• Strengthening parenting skills and family routines

• Enhancing economic and housing stability

Home-based support is central to the TIES model. Services may include individualized counseling, connection to medical care, emergency assistance, parenting education, and guidance on maintaining sobriety. Families are also coached in developing coping skills and relapse prevention strategies that can sustain recovery over time.

Why This Work Matters

The health risks of maternal substance use are significant and well-documented. Women who use drugs or alcohol during pregnancy are more likely to experience miscarriage, poor prenatal care, placental complications, and premature delivery. Their infants may be born with low birth weight, neurological impairments, growth delays, or behavioral challenges. These children also face a higher risk of abuse and neglect—often tied to untreated substance use in the home.

In fact, research has shown that up to two-thirds of child abuse and neglect cases involve substance use. Infants are especially vulnerable, with maternal drug or alcohol use being a major factor in referrals to child protection agencies.

Substance use in women is often shaped by trauma, poverty, and relational dynamics. The transition into motherhood, while a hopeful time, can also bring overwhelming stress—particularly for women lacking stable housing, employment, or social support. The TIES Program addresses these root issues, helping families build a stronger, safer foundation for themselves and their children.

The Scope Of The Need

Substance use among pregnant and postpartum women is not uncommon—nationally or locally.

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 10% of pregnant women reported using illicit drugs in the previous month, while 11% reported alcohol use. In Missouri, the numbers mirror this trend. In 2021, an estimated 904,000 residents had a substance use disorder, including 527,000 with alcohol use disorder. Alarmingly, more than 486,000 adults in Missouri needed but did not receive treatment for substance use.

The impact on children is clear. From 2017 to 2021, over 3,000 Missouri children annually were separated from their parents due to substance use—accounting for nearly half of all juvenile placements.

In Jackson County, the problem is particularly urgent. In the most recent fiscal year, 1,219 Newborn Crisis Assessments were requested—most due to suspected maternal substance use. These assessments are typically triggered by hospital staff concerned about a newborn’s safety and well-being.

A Community-Based Response

The TIES Program operates within this challenging landscape to create positive, generational change. Its approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and deeply rooted in the belief that families—when supported with care and respect—can thrive beyond addiction.

By coordinating resources and tailoring services to each family’s needs, TIES helps families stabilize, heal, and move forward. It is not just about treating substance use; it’s about rebuilding lives and giving children the healthiest possible start.

A Path Forward

Through its compassionate, whole-family approach, the TIES Program addresses the complex realities of substance use in pregnancy and parenthood. It meets families where they are—physically, emotionally, and socially—and walks alongside them toward recovery, resilience, and hope.

Every service, every visit, and every conversation is grounded in the belief that change is possible. With support, education, and meaningful connections, families can overcome substance use and create safe, nurturing homes for their children.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.