Laurie Clark
Perinatal Cluster
Phone: 740-652-7285
Email: laurie.clark@fairfieldcountyohio.gov
> Resource Guide
The Fairfield County Perinatal Cluster is a group that was formed to support and plan for healthy pregnancies especially for women struggling with challenges like homelessness, addiction, lack of access to prenatal care and transportation issues.
The Perinatal Cluster is comprised of experts and caring service providers form the medical, social services, mental health and treatment communities who meet to share creative solutions, explore resources and assist women with maintaining a healthy pregnancy and healthy birth.
Through cross-system collaboration, the perinatal cluster assists in ensuring delivery of comprehensive services outlined in Plans of Safe Care.
WHAT IS A PLAN OF SAFE CARE (POSC)?
The goal of a POSC is to strengthen the family and keep the child(ren) safely at home.
- It is a written list of resources that can support a mother’s needs during pregnancy and after the birth.
- It is written with the help of one or more people involved in providing health care or other services to the mother and child.
- A POSC can help with identifying appropriate support and intervention for expectant mothers.
WHEN IS A POSC DEVELOPED?
Ideally, a POSC should be developed during pregnancy but must be developed at the earliest point that it is suspected that the infant has been exposed to a substance in utero.
If a POSC has not been developed during pregnancy, it can be written after delivery and must be developed before leaving the hospital.
WHAT DOES A POSC DO?
- It focuses on the health and development of the baby.
- It makes sure that the mother and baby remain healthy and safe.
- It works with the mother and family to identify overall needs.
- It offers referrals and links to needed services.
WHAT SERVICES ARE IN A POSC?
BASIC NEEDS: Safe housing, food, utilities, transportation, medical care and coverage, mental health and substance use treatment, help with baby.
INFANT’S NEEDS: Identify what is needed and how to obtain items like pediatric care, diapers, cribs, car seats, breastfeeding support, formula, childcare plan, and other needed items.
DELIVERY PLAN: Delivery location, transportation to hospital, information needed at hospital, toiletry and clothing for hospital stay, transportation with infant from hospital, Medically Assisted Treatment Plans, Education about CPS Involvement. Support After Delivery: Referral to a home- visiting program, education on impact of substance exposure on infant, resources to help.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING A POSC?
A Plan of Safe Care should include input from all service providers involved in the mother’s care to promote the best health outcome for mother and infant. This could include:
- Medical staff including OB/GYNs, nurse practitioners, or midwives or others
- Substance use treatment providers
- Child Welfare Providers
- Mental health providers
- Early childhood intervention staff
- Home visitors
- Public health providers
- Others, as appropriate
A release of Information ensures confidential coordination of services in a Plan of Safe Care.
FORMS:
- Perinatal Cluster Release of Information Form
- Prompts for Completing a Plan of Safe Care
- Plan of Safe Care Form
RESOURCES:
Fairfield Dept. of Health
Phone: 740-652-2800
www.myfdh.org
Lancaster Fairfield Community Action Agency Early Childhood Programs
Phone: 740-681-4881
www.faircaa.org/earlychild0-3
Fairfield Co. Job and Family Services Child Protection
Phone: 740-652-7887
www.fcjfs.org
Fairfield Co. 211
Phone: 740-687-0500
www.fairfieldcounty211.org
Fairfield Co. Family and Children First Council Plan of Safe Care Coordinator
Phone: 740-652-7285
www.facfc.org
Fairfield Co. ADAMH Board
Phone: 740-654-0829
www.fairfieldadamh.org
