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Maternal SUD Toolkit

Providing Compassionate Care by Reducing Stigma

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a critical public health issue, and poor outcomes are often compounded by stigma—especially within healthcare settings. To address this, our Maternal SUD Toolkit offers healthcare professionals (HCPs) practical, evidence-informed strategies to provide compassionate, stigma-free care for pregnant patients. Karna, in collaboration with key public health partners, developed this toolkit to support HCPs in recognizing and addressing SUD with empathy and clinical effectiveness.

The toolkit includes:

  • educational resources,
  • communication guides, and
  • actionable tools tailored for clinical environments.

This toolkit is a valuable asset for improving patient outcomes and fostering a more supportive healthcare culture.

Grand Rounds

The presentation and resources will help HCPs understand how stigma and bias affect pregnant and parenting patients with SUD.

Building a Culture of Support Guide

This guide gives HCPs strategies to create safe spaces, build trust, and encourage patients who experience SUD to seek care.

  • PDF document

  • Break Room Poster: Display this poster which summarizes the Building a Culture of Support guide in break rooms or other common areas where staff will see it.

Webinar

This recorded live webinar* for healthcare professionals and other patient-facing staff covers how to help reduce stigma and improve outcomes for pregnant and parenting patients with SUD.

*CE credits only offered for live participants

Infographic

This interactive infographic follows Ana’s journey as she arrives at a clinic as a new pregnant patient with SUD. Her experience demonstrates how stigma can impact patient treatment. Click through to find more tips on providing compassionate care every step of the way.

Video Series

This two-part video series provides an overview of key topics and strategies to address SUD for pregnant patients.

Providing Care and Reducing Stigma for Pregnant Patients with Substance Use Disorder: Part 1

Providing Compassionate Care by Reducing Stigma for Pregnant Patients with Substance Use Disorder: Part 2

  • Part 2 Discussion Guide: Use this discussion guide to encourage reflection, collaboration, and practical applications of this resource among HCPs

  • SBIRT Script: A script for clinicians to use when implementing the SBIRT approach to reduce stigma and promote respectful care

  • Validated Screening Tools: This one-pager provides information on available screening tools that have been validated for use during pregnancy

  • Provider Resources: Access additional SBIRT implementation resources

Additional Resources

Karna has partnered with Momma’s Voices to provide a central location for resources related to maternal SUD. Their library includes materials from healthcare systems, PQCs, non-profit organizations, and government agencies:

Acknowledgements

  • Christie Allen – AIM/ACOG
  • Sarah Briley – Colorado PQC
  • Claire Coles – Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development Program
  • Madonna Green – SAMHSA
  • Sevy Gurule, MD – New Mexico PQC
  • Stephen Hayes – HRSA Office of Women’s Health
  • Tipu V. Khan, MD – Coastal Addiction Professionals
  • Heather Mauer – National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
  • Marjorie C. Meyer, MD – University of Vermont Medical Center
  • Christina Mimms – National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
  • Stacey Cunningham Penny, DrPH – National Institute for Children’s Health Quality
  • Cara Poland, MD – American Society of Addiction Medicine
  • Natasha Reeves, Community representative
  • Nima Sheth, MD – SAMHSA
  • Mishka Terplan, MD – Friends Research Institute
  • Connie Thompson, Community representative
  • Jonathan Webb – Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
  • Suzanne Wertman – ACNM/Healing Your Almond
  • Lee Wilson – HRSA

This resource was developed by Karna, LLC and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $250,000.00 with 100% funded by CDC. The contents reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC or the U.S. Government.