Every newborn that has experienced prenatal substance exposure must have a Plan of Safe Care. Hospitals are responsible for adding this practice to their systems. Tools and technical assistance are available through the Department of Health, DCYF, the Washington State Hospital Association, and Help Me Grow WA.
When hospitals identify an infant as substance exposed, they go to the online referral portal. There, they can provide de-identified data for the newborn. This data is automatically sent to DCYF.
The POSC online portal will help determine the appropriate action:
- The birthing hospital staff gets consent from the family for the Help Me Grow referral.
- If a report is needed, the online portal will tell the provider to call DCYF Intake. DCYF will complete the POSC with the family. If the case is screened out the family will be reffered back to Help Me Grow.
- If a notification is required, the online portal will direct the provider to complete the POSC. The POSC is automatically sent to Help Me Grow. Help Me Grow will reach out to the family. Families are supported voluntarily through coordinated referrals and follow-up.
- Connect them with services based on the POSC and other wraparound supports. HMG-WA will collect de-identified data elements to report (in aggregate) to DCYF regularly.
Examples which result in the portal directing birthing hospital staff to call DCYF intake.
Clinicians at birthing hospitals are mandatory reporters and must call DCYF Intake when:
- Safety concerns are present with any newborn
- Newborns test positive for illicit substances, non-prescribed medications, or misused prescribed medications
- Newborns experience withdrawal from illegal, non-prescribed, or misused prescribed medications
- Healthcare providers have evidence of ongoing substance use by the parent that creates safety concerns
- A newborn is diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), or the infant has known prenatal alcohol exposure when there are safety concerns for the infant
