NC pilot program for treatment for pregnant and postpartum women - the north carolina department of health and human services (NCDHHS), division of mental health, developmental disabilities, and…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services $1,080,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.490) to establish the Family Recovery Housing Initiative (FRHI), a statewide program serving pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders and their families across all 100 North Carolina counties.

The FRHI expands an existing outpatient treatment program operated by Insight Human Services in Winston-Salem, adding a family recovery housing model that enables pregnant and postpartum women, children, fathers, partners, and other supportive family members to remain together during trauma-informed, family-centered treatment and recovery services. The program builds on Insight's established Women and Infant Services for Health (WISH) program, medication for opioid use disorder services, peer support, childcare, and comprehensive outpatient treatment services. As a cross-area service program, FRHI will serve approximately 20 unduplicated individuals annually and 60 individuals over the three-year performance period, with priority given to women with co-occurring mental health conditions, involvement with child welfare or justice systems, housing instability, or who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid.

Performance occurs in Raleigh, North Carolina, with services available to eligible populations statewide, including rural and underserved communities. The award period runs through September 29, 2029.

NC pilot program for treatment for pregnant and postpartum women - the north carolina department of health and human services (NCDHHS), division of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use services (DMHDDSUS), proposes the family recovery housing initiative (FRHI), a statewide program designed to improve recovery outcomes, family stability, and long-term self-sufficiency for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders and their families. The initiative addresses a significant GAP in north carolina's continuum of care by expanding an established outpatient treatment program operated by insight human services in winston-salem. Building upon insight's existing gender-responsive women and infant services for health (WISH) program, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services, peer support, childcare, and comprehensive outpatient treatment services, the project will add a family recovery housing model that allows pregnant and postpartum women, children, fathers, partners, and other supportive family members to remain together while participating in trauma-informed, family-centered treatment and recovery services. The program will operate as a cross-area service program (CASP), making services available to eligible women and families from all 100 north carolina counties, including rural and underserved communities. The project is expected to serve approximately 20 unduplicated individuals annually and 60 individuals over the three-year project period. The primary population served will be adults age 18 and older who are pregnant or within 12 months postpartum and have a substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder. Priority populations include women with CO-occurring mental health conditions, involvement with child welfare or justice systems, housing instability, and women who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in medicaid. Children, fathers, partners, and other supportive family members will be included in services when appropriate and consistent with participant choice and safety. Services will include comprehensive screening and assessment, integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment, MOUD, care coordination, peer support, parenting and family strengthening services, overdose prevention, childcare assistance, transportation assistance, employment and educational supports, and family recovery housing. The goals of the project are to increase access to treatment and recovery services, improve engagement and retention in care, strengthen family stability, improve maternal and child outcomes, address barriers such as housing and transportation, and support long-term recovery. A key feature of the initiative is a graduated rental assistance model that helps families achieve housing stability while building financial independence. By treating recovery as a family process rather than an individual event, the FRHI will strengthen north carolina's system of care for pregnant and postpartum women, reduce barriers to recovery, and improve outcomes for women, children, and families across the state.