To the Moon and Back’s Plymouth office provides new clinicians and services supporting families of children born with prenatal opioid exposure
McGRATHPR.com – Ambitiously anticipating this moment for seven years, Plymouth-based nonprofit To the Moon and Back, Inc. (TTMAB), recently opened its first headquarters in the center of downtown Plymouth at 6 Main St. Extension, Suite 615, in the Post Office Square building. Founded in 2017, the social services advocacy organization supports children born with prenatal opioid exposure and their families from the entire community.
“We finally have a homebase!” exclaims the nonprofit’s founder Theresa Harmon, RN, LICSW. “Not only do we finally have a brick-and-mortar space, but we now have the funding to hire clinical staff, provide regular support to children and families, improve outcomes, and a place to call home for the families we serve. We also now offer consistent office hours to serve children with prenatal opioid exposure.” Harmon is a clinical social worker and nurse supporting diverse child welfare, early intervention, and school social work settings. Her efforts launched the organization’s humble beginnings, including a simple support group at the Plymouth Recovery Center, later growing into a registered nonprofit.
Harmon owes the exponential leap in her nonprofit’s aspirational goals to a nearly $1M grant award from The Massachusetts Community Health & Healthy Aging Funds (the Funds), subsidizing its five-year initiative to “Develop Best Practices in Care for Children Born with Prenatal Opioid Exposure (POE).” TTMAB was also recently honored at the Plymouth Addiction Response and Improvement Strategies Effort’s (ARISE) Grantees Honors Ceremony, where it was awarded $50K in funding, also to grow its support and service of those affected by the opioid crisis.
“This funding has allowed us to diversify and multiply vital services fulfilling the critical needs of our community’s families on behalf of their children, already serving more than 450 individuals and growing,” shares Harmon. In addition to her role as founder and fulfilling new full-time clinician role with the organization, the grant subsidizes two part-time clinicians, Leslie Maxwell, LICWS, Maxanne Wordell, LSSW, fortifying its support system. The three healthcare professionals clinical staff members administer case management services, caregiver support groups, and organize educational events for those in need. The program is the first of its kind, aiding in the development of evidence-based best care practices currently studied by the scientists at Child Trends, a national research organization focused on improving the lives of children and youth. The study’s focus is based on the findings from their previous research study which found enormous strengths and protective factors of children born with in utero opioid exposure but also found that they were significantly more likely to experience developmental, educational, and medical consequences from their exposure.
The new case management program and its concurrent scientific study will directly inform how we care for these children as they grow up. The hope is to improve access to care, decrease healthcare spending, and recommend a standard of care.
“Our clinical staff are also parents raising children born with prenatal opioid exposure. We understand how to work with families to provide ongoing support and education that reduces developmental, educational, health, and behavioral health risks for our children,” shares Harmon. In addition to its independent services, TTMAB is invested in a unique partnership with Plymouth Public Schools. This allows key staff to call on clinicians to observe and interact directly with students during the school day, and coordinate support with the school system. TTMAB also offers onsite training programs to support healthcare professional organizations, next to be held with Bay State Community Services, Harbor Health, Brockton Area Multi Services (BAMSI), High Point, and Bridgewater State University’s Children’s Physical Development Clinic. The nonprofit also supports the healthcare industry by producing its annual “Beyond NAS Conference” exploring vital topics of legislative impact, cortical visual impairment, wellness and recovery, children with NAS and Medicaid, intergenerational trauma in children and families, physiological regulation, art as therapy, holistic treatment for trauma, and the role of comfort dogs in the community.
TTMAB offers support groups for foster and adoptive parents, and relative caregivers caring for Plymouth children and students born substance exposed, twice monthly in person and online. Free continual Case Management Services are available to support each child and family’s unique needs and help them thrive. The organization supports all parents or guardians of Plymouth resident children (up to age 18) or students who have experienced prenatal opioid exposure who apply for the services, provided free of charge.
Founded in 2017, To the Moon and Back, Inc. originated with the mission to provide for the unmet needs of children born with NAS in Plymouth. The organization was entirely funded through fundraising and grant allocations, providing all services at no cost to families, spanning babies through children and teens up to age 18. Its advocacy and support programs transcend race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. TTMAB helps families navigate broad substance exposure impacts, including long term developmental, educational, physical, and behavioral health consequences in children.
To the Moon and Back hosts a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new offices on Thursday, November 14, from 3 to 4 pm, catered by local celebrity Chef Stephen Coe. Admission to the event is free, and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to inquire about resources and services, meet the clinicians, and learn more about the organization.
To the Moon and Back’s downtown office is open on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. For more information about the initiatives and mission of To the Moon and Back, Inc., or to donate, visit tothemoonandback.org, or follow To The Moon and Back on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @tothemoonma.
About To the Moon and Back, Inc.
Founded in 2017, advocacy nonprofit To the Moon and Back, Inc. (TTMAB), is dedicated to supporting children born with in utero substance exposure and their families, founded by Theresa Harmon, RN, LICSW. As a certified 501(c)3, TTMAB has served as the leader in providing support, education, and advocacy for the youngest victims of the opioid epidemic, and those who care for them. The organization’s mission is committed to forging one voice as advocates for children.
TTMAB provides case management services, Educational Advocacy Programs and support groups (for foster and adoptive parents, relative and non-relative caregivers) of Plymouth-based children born with substance exposure or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), serving as a welcoming resource for caregivers to connect with their peers. Expert speakers educate caregivers and inform communities on the latest in research and best practices. Education programs provide expert speakers and training to industry health providers and social services to guide effective care. Nurture A Superhero care packages provide carefully cultivated newborn take home kits for children with NAS, provided at discharge from hospitals across the state including Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Lahey, and UMass Medical Center.
To the Moon and Back, Inc. provides advocacy and recommendations to local and state leaders on the unmet needs and gaps in services for children born with exposure and their caregivers. The organization is committed to supporting legislative progress, aspiring to ensure that children born substance-exposed have every tool needed to thrive. The nonprofit also champions research, resource, and educational publications, including “The Caregiver’s Guide to NAS & Beyond;” produces an annual Beyond NAS Conference, and funds a Children’s Grant, supporting uncovered family expenses related to in utero substance exposure.
For more information, or to donate, visit tothemoonandback.org, or follow To the Moon and Back on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @tothemoonma.
