In 2017, the Governor and General Assembly directed the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (SHHR) to convene a workgroup to study barriers to the identification and treatment of substance-exposed infants (SEIs) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2018, following the workgroup’s recommendations, the General Assembly enacted Chapter 695 of the 2018 Acts of Assembly which amended the Code of Virginia § 32.1-73.12 to identify the VDH as the lead agency to develop, coordinate, and implement a plan for services for substance-exposed infants. VDH is required to submit a report to the General Assembly regarding implementation of the plan by December 1 of each year.

The Code also requires VDH to work cooperatively with designated stakeholders to carry out its duties. VDH therefore convened a workgroup to develop and implement a plan for SEIs. The workgroup created a plan entitled the “Pathways to Coordinated Care (PCC) Strategic Plan" (PCC Strategic Plan). The PCC Strategic Plan is now the official plan for services for SEIs in the Commonwealth. The workgroup met from 2018 to 2021 and was on hiatus from 2022 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staff capacity. VDH has hired a coordinator, conducted informational interviews with people involved in developing the initial plan, and reconvened partners across the Commonwealth in October 2024. This report covers the 2025 reporting period. Summary points are listed below.

2025 REPORT SUMMARY

1. Over the past year, VDH continued strengthening collaboration with sister state agencies, community partners, and stakeholders to address perinatal substance use. Staff engaged in numerous discussions to build relationships and gather essential insights to inform the SEI workgroup and guide the implementation of the PCC Strategic Plan.

2. VDH analyzed 2024 survey responses that were received following the statewide webinar held in October of that year. Staff identified key themes within each section to help frame the initial discussions of the workgroups.

3. VDH facilitated workgroup meetings, which met virtually for three sessions to review, refine, and update the PCC Strategic Plan. A final meeting was held for workgroups to come together and review the new goals, strategies, and outline for the updated plan.

4. With support from the workgroups, VDH began pursuing additional funding to advance statewide efforts on addressing perinatal substance use.

5. The updated PCC Strategic Plan included in this report as Appendix C. It includes goals and their associated strategies that fall under five main areas: screening, coordination, education, communication.