Recent changes to federal legislation around the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CARA) have outlined new state mandates requiring data collection around the impact of substance exposed infants and development of plans of safe care nationwide. In CT, effective March 15, 2019, hospitals will be required to submit a notification to the Department of Children and Families at the time of the birth event when an infant is believed to have been substance exposed and/or displays withdrawal symptoms. The DMHAS provider system of care has a crucial role moving forward as it serves many women who will be impacted by this legislation and will need to be ready to help educate pregnant women on these changes and help them to develop their comprehensive plans of safe care prior to the time of their delivery.

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