Caregiver/educator/healthcare best practices support children of opioid epidemic
McGRATHPR.com – Advocacy nonprofit To the Moon and Back, Inc. (TTMAB) presents its 3rd annual “Beyond NAS Conference,” in support of children born with in utero substance exposure and their caregivers, on Friday, May 3, 8:30 am to 4 pm, at Hotel 1620, 180 Water Street, Plymouth. Family members, caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend the highly regarded full-day conference, supporting the care of children with prenatal opioid exposure, identified as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
“This conference is an opportunity for providers and families to directly access information, as it becomes available in real time, from researchers and those developing evidence-based practices to help our children,” shares Theresa Harmon, LICSW, RN, founder of To The Moon and Back, Inc. “Time is of the essence to intervene for this incredibly important and chronically overlooked population. This is our annual effort at ensuring their needs are not forgotten in the opioid crisis.” A certified 501(c)3 nonprofit, TTMAB provides leadership in support and education for the children of the opioid epidemic, and for those who care for them.
The third “Beyond NAS Conference” offers a fresh slate of enlightening speakers, educational breakout sessions, and panel discussions with the top minds behind best practices. Healthcare professionals have the option to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Registrants may attend remotely or in person, breakfast and lunch will be served to those on site. Traveling attendees may register for hotel accommodations with Hotel 1620. An accomplished panel of speakers will be on site, including the conference’s keynote speaker Kathryn Shea, LCSW, former executive director of The Florida Center for Early Childhood and four-decade practitioner working directly with children experiencing emotional and behavioral effects of fetal alcohol exposure, and currently serves on the board of FASD United, the national voice on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Shea has received numerous awards for her work in infant mental health, FASD, and child advocacy.
“Beyond NAS” explores vital topics including 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.
Founded in 2017, advocacy nonprofit To the Moon and Back, Inc., 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 nonprofit, TTMAB has served as the leader in providing support, education, and advocacy for the children of the opioid epidemic, and those who care for them. The organization seeks to forge one voice as advocates for children.
To register for the “Beyond NAS Conference” learn more, or view the complete schedule, visit beyondnas2024.eventbrite.com. Online and in-person seats are $50 (non-CEU), and in-person seats with CEUs are $75.
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 an Educational Advocacy Program and support groups (for foster and adoptive parents, relative and non-relative caregivers) of 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.
