Mothers on the Rise (MOR) serves mother-baby pairs transitioning from the Indiana Women’s Prison Leath Unit to their home community. The MOR team and partners help mothers navigate their home community and work to build a mother’s capacity to flourish. The program establishes an individualized, coordinated system of care for each mother residing in the nursery unit. Our social support team includes a program manager, social worker/therapist, nurse navigator, lead community navigator, and community navigator. Mothers are referred to a Healthy Families home visitor, community partners case manager, and legal assistance when applicable. With ongoing support from our social support team, mothers can maintain support in times of stability (maintenance status) or have increased engagement in times of stress (crisis status). These two categories allow us to individualize our level of support to maintain rapport and anticipate and address crises as they arise.
Recognition
Our Mothers on the Rise program was selected as an Emerging Practice by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP). Please visit the AMCHP to learn more about this program and to download the implementation handout that provides our practice summary and implementation guidance. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in replicating this approach in your community.
Key Accomplishments
- Developed a social network documentation system to evaluate our network’s impact
- Completed set of Health Care Roadmaps to help all women in the Indiana Women’s Prison navigate the health care system and build personal agency of their health
- Developed data collection measures to evaluate the economic cost and benefit of Mothers on the Rise
- Recognized and accepted by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs as an evidence-based program on the national MCH Innovations Hub
- Partner with AHEC to enable MOR participants to complete peer recovery coach training
Partners
- Indiana Department of Correction Leath MCHU
- Indiana State Department of Health MCH Unit
- AmeriCorps, Center for Interfaith Cooperation
- Indiana Department of Child Services Prevention Programs
Resources and Links
- Article published in Advancing Corrections Journal
- Community Solutions Podcast: Helping Mothers Successfully Transition from Prison to Community
- WTHR: Mothers on the Rise: Supporting incarcerated mothers and their babies
- US News & World Report: New Moms Behind Bars Get Help From Someone Who’s Been There
- WBIW: There is help for mothers who give birth in prison
- Radio Health Journal Interview
- AMCHP Evidence-Based Practice Database
