NEDHSA Launches Comprehensive Series on Opioid Use and Maternal Health
On March 18, 2026, the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) will kick off its third Opioid Education Series, a vital initiative tailored to address the critical issue of opioid use in relation to maternal health. The event will bring together healthcare professionals, public health leaders, and community advocates to discuss the pressing issues surrounding opioid use among pregnant women and its impacts on families. This series of virtual webinars is instrumental in raising awareness and encouraging collaborative action to address the challenges posed by the opioid epidemic, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The inaugural webinar, titled "Addiction and Maternal Health: Opioid Use in Vulnerable Populations," is organized in partnership with the Foundation for Wellness and the Louisiana Department of Health. This event will delve into the various facets of opioid consumption during pregnancy, scrutinizing its ramifications for both mothers and infants. Attendees can expect a comprehensive overview of treatment options available, along with policy solutions aimed at ensuring better support for affected women and families.
Highlighting the importance of this series is Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, a well-respected obstetrician-gynecologist and public health authority. In her role as the System Medical Director of Health Outcomes at Ochsner Health, Dr. Gillispie-Bell will share her insights into the challenges facing mothers who struggle with addiction. She will present critical regional, state, and national data that underscores the urgency of finding coordinated solutions to enhance maternal health.
Following the initial webinar, attendees can look forward to a series of other informative sessions. Topics will include:
1. Prescription Opioid Use in Pregnancy: This session addresses the fetal impacts of opioid dependency and the phenomenon of neonatal withdrawal. Experts will discuss how opioid use during pregnancy can affect both the pregnant individual and their baby, drawing on recent research and clinical data.
2. Treatment Options and Outcomes: Focusing on evidence-based treatment approaches tailored for pregnant women diagnosed with opioid use disorder, this webinar aims to equip healthcare providers with knowledge of the latest clinical guidelines.
3. Supporting Collaborative Policy and Practice: This session will explore the importance of fostering partnerships across various sectors to strengthen care systems for mothers and infants, leading to improved outcomes.
The opioid crisis remains a formidable challenge, significantly affecting families throughout Louisiana. Pregnant women, in particular, often experience unique difficulties in accessing treatment and support as they navigate their recovery journey. Monteic A. Sizer, Executive Director of NEDHSA, voiced the organization's commitment to expanding treatment modalities that prioritize maternal health, stating, "Women facing addiction, especially those who are pregnant or caring for young children, encounter severe obstacles in receiving necessary treatment. Maternal health is crucial to the overall well-being of families and communities. Our RISE inpatient treatment facility was created to fulfill this essential need, offering trauma-informed care for women while recognizing their roles as mothers. We are collaborating with Ochsner LSU Health to develop a model that integrates addiction treatment with maternal health services and prevention strategies to empower vulnerable women and children."
Community engagement is a fundamental part of this educational series, and NEDHSA warmly encourages healthcare professionals, public health stakeholders, and community members to participate actively. Together, they can make significant strides toward enhancing care for mothers and infants affected by opioid use.
Those interested in attending are urged to register without delay—additional information, including registration details and speaker biographies, will soon be released through the event's official flyer.
NEDHSA is dedicated to serving 12 parishes in Northeast Louisiana by providing comprehensive behavioral health, developmental disability, and prevention services, connected through community partnerships and innovative treatment programs. Their ongoing mission is to elevate the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the region that they serve.
The inaugural webinar, titled "Addiction and Maternal Health: Opioid Use in Vulnerable Populations," is organized in partnership with the Foundation for Wellness and the Louisiana Department of Health. This event will delve into the various facets of opioid consumption during pregnancy, scrutinizing its ramifications for both mothers and infants. Attendees can expect a comprehensive overview of treatment options available, along with policy solutions aimed at ensuring better support for affected women and families.
Highlighting the importance of this series is Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, a well-respected obstetrician-gynecologist and public health authority. In her role as the System Medical Director of Health Outcomes at Ochsner Health, Dr. Gillispie-Bell will share her insights into the challenges facing mothers who struggle with addiction. She will present critical regional, state, and national data that underscores the urgency of finding coordinated solutions to enhance maternal health.
Following the initial webinar, attendees can look forward to a series of other informative sessions. Topics will include:
1. Prescription Opioid Use in Pregnancy: This session addresses the fetal impacts of opioid dependency and the phenomenon of neonatal withdrawal. Experts will discuss how opioid use during pregnancy can affect both the pregnant individual and their baby, drawing on recent research and clinical data.
2. Treatment Options and Outcomes: Focusing on evidence-based treatment approaches tailored for pregnant women diagnosed with opioid use disorder, this webinar aims to equip healthcare providers with knowledge of the latest clinical guidelines.
3. Supporting Collaborative Policy and Practice: This session will explore the importance of fostering partnerships across various sectors to strengthen care systems for mothers and infants, leading to improved outcomes.
The opioid crisis remains a formidable challenge, significantly affecting families throughout Louisiana. Pregnant women, in particular, often experience unique difficulties in accessing treatment and support as they navigate their recovery journey. Monteic A. Sizer, Executive Director of NEDHSA, voiced the organization's commitment to expanding treatment modalities that prioritize maternal health, stating, "Women facing addiction, especially those who are pregnant or caring for young children, encounter severe obstacles in receiving necessary treatment. Maternal health is crucial to the overall well-being of families and communities. Our RISE inpatient treatment facility was created to fulfill this essential need, offering trauma-informed care for women while recognizing their roles as mothers. We are collaborating with Ochsner LSU Health to develop a model that integrates addiction treatment with maternal health services and prevention strategies to empower vulnerable women and children."
Community engagement is a fundamental part of this educational series, and NEDHSA warmly encourages healthcare professionals, public health stakeholders, and community members to participate actively. Together, they can make significant strides toward enhancing care for mothers and infants affected by opioid use.
Those interested in attending are urged to register without delay—additional information, including registration details and speaker biographies, will soon be released through the event's official flyer.
NEDHSA is dedicated to serving 12 parishes in Northeast Louisiana by providing comprehensive behavioral health, developmental disability, and prevention services, connected through community partnerships and innovative treatment programs. Their ongoing mission is to elevate the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the region that they serve.
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