Through the
Mercy Perinatal Recovery Network (Mercy PRN), pregnant women and new mothers battling substance abuse can learn to overcome their addictions, deliver healthier babies, prevent their children from being placed in foster care, and lead healthier, more productive lives.
Mercy PRN operates under the auspices of
Mercy San Juan Medical Center and is an outpatient drug and alcohol recovery treatment program serving vulnerable, at-risk women. The Mercy PRN treatment facility is designed to create a home-like environment.
The treatment program is divided into three phases:
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Primary Care - Early Recovery
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Primary Care Plus - Finding Sobriety
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Continuing Care - Creating a Clean and Sober Life
Through the services offered, Mercy PRN responds to an urgent need in the Sacramento area:
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An estimated 10-15% of women who give birth each year in Sacramento County are abusing alcohol and other drugs
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Over 2,000 infants born in the county each year are exposed to drugs during the prenatal period
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Over 12,000 children under the age of five in Sacramento County live with a parent who has a substance abuse problem
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80% of child abuse and neglect cases involve substance abuse
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The average medical cost of a healthy baby's birth is around $5,000, while the cost for a substance-exposed infant birth can be as high as $150,000
MORE ABOUT MERCY PRN | Use the links below to learn more about Mercy PRN and the women we serve.
Mercy PRN's patients are low-income mothers in their twenties and thirties who are pregnant or already have one or more infants or young children. Nearly all of the women served (98%) are below the poverty level and either on government assistance or have no income at all. Many cannot afford basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter or transportation, and most report they are addicted to several drugs, including alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
Of the patient population:
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70% are high school dropouts
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20% lack even basic literacy skills
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75% report current involvement in an abusive relationship
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50% have a history of arrest or incarceration
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60% were abused or neglected themselves as children
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80% had parents who were addicted to alcohol and other drugs
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The average length of time using drugs is nearly 14 years
Counseling & Outreach In addition to group and individual substance abuse counseling, treatment strategies at Mercy PRN include education regarding health, life skills and parenting; domestic violence assessment, advocacy and intervention; literacy assessment and tutoring and coaching to re-enter the educational system and/or workforce.
Staff members hold special competencies and certifications in a variety of areas including culturally-specific treatment; jail and prison populations; gang activity; sexual orientation and gender identity issues; relapse prevention; anger management; grief counseling and Children's Protective Services.
Children's Enrichment Program This program runs concurrently with the women's treatment program. Through developmental assessments, therapeutic play and socialization activities, children have a safe, stimulating and nurturing place to stay while their mothers receive treatment.
Success Mercy PRN's success in helping women make healthy lifestyle changes needed for long-term sobriety and for the health of their children is demonstrated by highly successful outcomes*:
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Treatment Completion Rate - Mercy PRN's completion rate for 90 days of treatment in 2007 was 71%. Completion of 90 days of treatment is considered a benchmark in the field of substance abuse treatment. The national average for completion of 90 days of treatment is 34%.
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Infant Outcomes - Eight pregnant women in 2007 delivered eight "clean" babies that tested negative for drugs
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Family Reunification - 77 women had open Child Protective Services cases in 2007; 44 were reunited with their families
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Parenting - 100% of parents completing 180 days of treatment in 2007 also completed the Mercy PRN Parenting Class. Of those, 97% demonstrated improved parenting attitudes and behaviors
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Stable Living Situations - 40 patients entering treatment in 2007 reported unstable living situations. Mercy PRN was successful in finding stable living situations for the 38 patients completing treatment
Mercy PRN is a State of California certified outpatient drug treatment program. Mercy PRN is also the preferred referral treatment program for Sacramento County Child Protective Services, Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS), and other local healthcare providers. In Fiscal Year 2009, Mercy PRN helped the lives of 250 women.
*most recent data available from 2007 due to length of program and time in treatment
