Metropolitan Task Force on Drug Exposed Infants
multidisciplinary task force serving drug exposed infants and their families
Fact Sheet
Background: In May, 1989 the Metropolitan Task Force on Drug Exposed Infants was formed for the purpose of
problem solving the issues related to infants born to drug using mothers. The Task Force consists of physicians,
other health care providers, social workers, child protection staff, court personnel, drug treatment providers,
educators, and early childhood professionals. The Task Force studied the issues drug involved pregnant women
present to our organizations. These include medical non-compliance, interpretation of child protection standards,
case management of family in community, and the state's role in supervision and custody.
Focus of Action:
1.
2.
Removal of barriers that prevent mothers from getting treatment for addiction.
Securing protection and medical compliance of\infants born of drug involved women.
Accomplishments:
1.
Agreement was signed in 1990 by eight city, county, state, and federal prosecutors in specific jurisdictions not
to prosecute drug using pregnant women on drug use charges if they agree to go into treatment. Leadership
provided by Rob Larsen, then US Attorney and now Magistrate Judge.
2.
Family Aide Program under the auspices of the Visiting Nurses Association was funded by March of Dimes to
provide in-home services for high risk moms through the-services of a paraprofessional.
3.
Linkage Coordination is funded from DFS/HHS Baby Doe funds. The Linkage Coordinator's role was designed
to provide coordinated efforts between DFS, TMC, CMH, Jackson County Family Court, and Visiting Nurses
Association. Linkage Coordinator was hired in 11/90. In 1993, KC PACT along with the Department of
Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, participated in continued funding. A new Linkage
Coordinator was hired 10/93. Jackson County Family Court assumed the position in 1997.
4.
TIES (Team for Infants Endangered by Substance abuse) Program funded by a two-year demonstration grant to
The Children's Mercy Hospital Social Work and Community Services Department in 1990. This program is
funded under the HHS Abandoned Infants Assistance Act to provide intensive home based services to families
and their infants perinatally exposed to drugs, to enhance agency collaboration, educate professionals, and
provide comprehensive medical assessment and treatment. Program has been funded through three additional
four-year federal awards.
5.
KC PACT funded by the Hall Family Foundation to improve prenatal care outreach and services to pregnant
women. Truman Medical Center's OB 1 GYN Department administered this program. The Office of Substance
Abuse Prevention subsequently awarded this program an extensive five-year grant. Program funding ended in
1998.
6.
Passage of Senate Bill 190 was a comprehensive response to the problems communities face with infants born
perinatally exposed to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Judge William Mauer led the local charge by keeping the
Task Force proposed legislation in front of the Legislature from 1990 to passage in June 1991. Legislation
requires mandatory counseling by health care provider of all pregnant women about the effects of prenatal
alcohol and other drug use; gives priority for drug treatment to pregnant women, etc.
7.
Metropolitan Task Force on Drug Exposed Infants appointed by the Missouri Department of Health to be
local Multidisciplinary Team as mandated in SB 190 in 1992.
8.
Safe TYES (Safe Team for Youth Endangered by Substance abuse) Program was awarded a three-year federal
the
demonstration grant to identify youth at risk of endangerment or neglect due to a substance using caregiver.
Program ended in 1996 but the Grandparent Support Groups were transitioned to Children's Mercy Hospital
Family Friends Program. Six support groups for families in Jackson County, MO, and Wyandotte and Johnson
Counties in KS.
9.
Law Enforcement: Kansas City Missouri Police Department met with Task Force to discuss policy on serving
warrants on program participants or patients in the health care or treatment setting. Policy was written and
agreed upon and disseminated. Agencies provide KCPD with contact person for police to use to coordinate
their actions when necessary.
10. Grandparents as Guardians Program worked on legislation in 1997 and 1999 to create and expand services and
resources to grandparent and relative caregivers who are caring for their relative's children, often affected by
alcohol and other drug abuse.
11. Family Drug Court initiated as a pilot in April 1998 and elevated to full program with commissioner appointed
to the bench in 12/98. Implementation grant (10/98) and enhancement grant (9/01) received from the
Department of Justice, Office of Drug Courts Program Office. DFS designated a supervisor and workers in the
Family Drug Court. Juvenile Drug Curt created 4/99.
12. Housing Committee formed to address housing needs for recovering women and their children. An 8 unit
apartment building was identified. Dept. of Mental Health Shelter Plus Care housing funding was secured for
eligible residents and a Program Council was formed to guide the program called Amethyst Place. The program
opened its doors in May 2000 and has since incorporated as a 501C-3 with a Board of Directors consisting of
Task Force members and referral program staff.
13. Family Court presented the Task Force with a position paper on the role of the Juvenile Officer and
members joined in the dialogue about the role, the expectations and made suggestions.
14. Departments of Heath and Mental Health participated in discussions about their roles, services and structure.
Suggestions on changes, ways to better coordinate services were given by committee members.
15. Review of SB 190 by a sub-committee and strategic planning for changes was agreed upon.
Meets: Fourth Wednesday of the month 8 times per year at the Jackson County Family Court, 625 East 26th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 am.
Conveners: Alice Kitchen, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics (816) 234-3719 Judy Cerwick, Citizen Volunteer
(816) 767-4162
Membership: Barbara Beasley and Tomi Allen, Kansas City Health Department, Vicki Boyd, Executive Director, COMBAT,
Joan Schlankerr Depl of Health and Senior Services, Tammy Moore, DFS, Pat Brown, Administration Child Youth &
Families/HHS, Alinda Dennis, Metro Child Abuse Network. Carla Ingram, Missouri Addiction Technology Transfer Center,
Molly Merrigan, Commissioner Family Drug Court, Penny Howell, Program Manager Family & Juvenile Drug Court, Howard
Kilbride, MD, CMH Neonatology, Sat Inder Khalsa, Bureau of Special Health Care Needs, Mary Marquez, Jackson County
Family Court, Judge William Mauer, Sr. Berta Sailer, St. Vincent's Operation Breakthrough, Jean Craig, Healthy Start, David
Mundy, MD, TMC OB/GYN, Oneta Templeton McMann, TIES Program, Suzanne Meyer and Mary Brenner, TMC Social Work,
David McWilliams, Deputy, DMH/DADA, Molly O'Neill, Friendship House/Catherine's Place, Judy Kay, Renaissance West
Women's Place, Preston Washington, NCADD, Holly Kindrick, TMC Lakewood Social Work Depl, Kathy Fuger, Ph.D., UMKC
Institute for Human Development, Ellen King, CASA Project/Family Justice Center, Estelle Midget, Family Friends Grandparent
Support Group, Tracy Blaylock. Midwest Psychological Services, Cynthia Bland, KCMO School District, Sheryl Feutz-Harter,
Shughart, Thomson, & Kilroy, Chris Rinck, Ph.D., UMKC Institute for Human Development, Michael Couty, DMH Div. of
Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Pat Brown, Depl Mental Health, Debbie Miller, St. Luke's Hospital Social Work, Sharon Hannah.
Medical Center of Independence, Social Work, Mona Perry, American Indian Council, lle Haggins, Family Friends, Gayla
Wampler, KCMO School District, Stacey Fries, St. Joseph Health Center, Beth Sevart and Jackie Herman, Truman Medical
Center/Women's Care Center, Jim Nunnelly, Jackson County Anti-Drug Programs Administrator.
SW / deifactsheet/12/98, rev. 2/'13/00, 7/'13/01,9/15/03