Drug recovery home for moms and babies could be model for rest of nation
SAN ANTONIO - Bexar County has more babies born with drugs in their systems than anywhere in the state.
Health leaders say nearly 400 local babies are born with withdrawals each year. That's about as many as Houston and Dallas combined.
The Trouble Shooters show you the new place where moms and babies are now recovering that could be a model for the rest of the nation.
The recovery home is called Casa Mia. We can't disclose the location - only that it's worlds apart from the street life new moms like Laneia are escaping.
"Heroin. That was my drug of choice," she says. "Something that I would never wish upon anybody, taking that route."
At Casa Mia, Laneia is able to enjoy priceless time with her baby Paulhenry. The home just opened in November for women who have given birth to babies with drug withdrawals.
"That's exactly what this program is about - so we're not separated from our child," Laneia says.
Dr. Lisa Cleveland from UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing helped push for the facility.
"The value is that it gives women time," she says. "Women who stay with their children during recovery tend to achieve long-term recovery at a much better rate."
She says children are a huge motivator, but most recovery homes aren't set up for little ones.
"Nationwide, only 3% of recovery housing offers beds for children and in Texas it's about 1%," Dr. Cleveland says.
Casa Mia is the first facility in San Antonio, and only the second in Texas, to serve as a recovery home for both moms and kids.
"Before we even began to think about Casa Mia we met with Child Protective Services to make sure that they were on board," Dr. Cleveland says.
CPS caseworkers can refer moms and meet with them within the safe walls. Staying there is free. The services are funded by a grant. The home itself is run by the recovery nonprofit Crosspoint.
"Because of the epidemic, we very much want to be part of the solution," says Kevin Downey from Crosspoint.
Laneia's road to recovery is scary. There might be setbacks. But one look in Paulhenry's eyes and she knows she can't give up.
"I cannot give up because I have Paulhenry," she says with tears in her eyes. "So that right there in my head, when I start thinking about stuff like the past, I just think about Paulhenry and I say I've got to do it now. This is my chance."
There's room at Casa Mia for 20 moms and babies. If you or someone you know might benefit from it, call (210) 632-4845.
By EMILY BAUCUM
