One year ago, KVC Kentucky launched a new program to provide support services for mothers in recovery. The EMBARK program has been growing and thriving since its inception, thanks to the support of our community partners and the incredible dedication of our team. We are excited to see the program continue to reach even more moms in need as we dive into our second year! We’re also excited to share that the impact is soon to expand! With a recent funding announcement from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office that will allow EMBARK to serve participants in 5 additional counties.

Before we get into our vision for the future, let’s take a look back at EMBARK’s first year:

What is EMBARK?

EMBARK (which stands for Elevate Mothers and Build Addiction Recovery in Kentucky) is a prevention program providing expectant mothers with comprehensive care, from access to medical and obstetric care to preparing to meet the needs of and learn to nurture their baby. This KVC Kentucky program, initially a collaborative effort with Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation, received funding from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Abatement Advisory Commission as part of the opioid abatement settlement. It all started with recognizing a need for pregnant moms in medication-assisted treatment who needed access to transportation for OBGYN and other appointments, but it has grown into much more than that.

Dr. Megan Moore, DSW, CSW Senior Director of Innovation and Impact

Dr. Megan Moore, one of the founders of the EMBARK program who worked on the initial grant proposal and KVC Kentucky’s Senior Director of Innovation and Impact, explains how EMBARK fits into KVC’s mission to provide safe and nurturing homes for children. “One goal we have at KVC is to move services upstream so that we can try and keep children out of the child welfare system,” Dr. Moore explains.

Women and caregivers in the EMBARK program often struggle to meet their own basic needs, including housing, transportation and employment stability. As they prepare to deliver their baby, these participants need holistic care that provides both substance abuse treatment as well as the medical, physical, mental and stability needs that are vital to preparing them for nurturing their child in a safe and stable environment.

How EMBARK Empowers Moms in Recovery to Break Generational Cycles

Moms are typically referred to the EMBARK program during pregnancy, at which point they’re paired with one of the team’s three dedicated Family Care Coordinators (FCCs). These FCCs provide moms with everything from parenting education and preparedness through the Nurturing Parenting Prenatal and Infant curriculum, to transportation needs for their various appointments.

For many of these mothers, substance abuse was a means of coping with their own childhood trauma and abuse. Whenever a mom enters the program, the EMBARK team comes alongside them to help them both heal for themselves and learn to be a nurturing parent in a way they never learned from their parents.

“Through the EMBARK program, mothers in recovery can receive the support and guidance they often never received from their parents, paving the way for a better future for them and their children.”- Kristin Pollard, EMBARK Supervisor 

Taylor Breeding, LCSW, MSW Senior Director of Clinical Practice and Advancement

Here For Moms No Matter What

Much of the work FCCs do is connect moms to critical resources and ensure they can access those resources. Another crucial role is in showing up for their clients. Taylor Breeding, KVC Kentucky’s Director of Clinical Practice and Advancement, shares that many of the moms have been genuinely surprised by the EMBARK team’s dedication and unwavering commitment to their success.

“When other people have given up or would have given up on them historically, our team has continued to find them, to call them, to reach out, to make sure they’re safe,” says Breeding. “We have had some experience a relapse and we understand how addiction works. None of that changes our perspective on caring for those moms.”

EMBARK Supervisor Kristin Pollard emphasizes how important it is for these mothers to receive this support to empower them to break the cycle and become better parents to their children. “Many of the moms were not raised in a nurturing environment themselves, so they don’t know how to nurture,” says Pollard. Growing up in an environment that is not nurturing or safe can make parenthood challenging. 

However, support from the EMBARK program can be transformative. “These moms have been failed many times in their lives,” says Pollard. “People have walked away, given up. It makes a big difference that we’re going to show up no matter what.” EMBARK aims to fill the gap of reliable support and as Dr. Moore puts it, “change the trajectory of how they parent, which is going to change that child’s life forever.”

It Takes a Village! 

What we are doing to support moms in recovery would not be possible without the support of many community partners. They provide everything from healthcare to baby essentials for moms in our program. We receive referrals primarily through a collaborative effort with the Mountain Comprehensive Health Clinic (MCHC). Although we have begun to accept referrals from other reputable community partners as well. The program is funded in large part through funding from the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, as part of the opioid abatement settlement.

Beyond these foundational partnerships and funding, there are so many community organizations helping support moms in the EMBARK program! Thank you to these community partners for helping our moms thrive:

• Local baby pantries have provided cribs, clothes, diapers and more
• Quick Response Team (QRT)
• Kentucky Access to Recovery Services (KTAR)

“We’re really proud of this program, this team, and the efforts of the community,” says Dr. Moore. “It really does take an entire community that is willing to wrap around these particular moms and babies and their children to provide support.” With programs supporting EMBARK at a local, regional, state and even federal level, we are excited by how in just one year, this program has provided for moms in eastern Kentucky who have such a great need for support.

Looking Back: Key Accomplishments in the First Year

In the EMBARK program’s first year, we have received 19 referrals and served 16 moms. Additionally, we had two fully complete the year-long program with others close to finishing! So far, we’ve celebrated 16 babies born: all healthy and without any long-term health effects reported. 

Many of these moms have emphasized how important EMBARK was in motivating them to continue receiving treatment. Some of the moms in the program have no external support. For many of these moms, their Family Care Coordinators (FCCs) is the only person truly in their corner. Our FCCs fully commit to doing everything they can to help these moms heal, grow and become successful, nurturing parents.

Looking Ahead: Goals for Year Two

The EMBARK program is kicking off its second year with exciting news — it’s expanding! A recent funding announcement from the Attorney General allows EMBARK to serve expecting mothers in more locations. Services are now available in Bracken, Carter, Fleming, Harlan, Letcher, Lewis, Mason, Perry, Pike and Rowan counties. 

EMBARK will continue its emphasis on prevention and intentional intervention. Offering the following services in counties in the Northeastern service region:

• A comprehensive, holistic service approach
• In-home, wraparound, community-based support
• Integrated, coordinated pre and post-natal OBGYN, pediatric, and substance use treatment
• A program dedicated to reducing stigma
• Assistance with tangible goods

“We know that the program is working, that it’s needed and that there are more moms in Kentucky who could benefit from the services,” says Dr. Moore. “It’s been wonderful to see the support in the eastern Kentucky region. There’s a lot of need for a program like EMBARK in this new region, so we’re excited. It really is life-changing.”

Learn more about the EMBARK program and how you can help, visit our website or call (859) 254-1035.