03/17/2026 | Grant Awards Strengthen Pathways to Addiction Treatment, Recovery Supports for Pregnant and Parenting Women in Northwest Ohio

For Immediate Release:
March 17, 2026

Grant Awards Strengthen Pathways to Addiction Treatment, Recovery Supports for Pregnant and Parenting Women in Northwest Ohio

New pilot seeks to replicate proven hospital-based model in community settings

(COLUMBUS, OH) -- The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Office of Treatment Services recently announced more than $475,000 in grant awards to expand lifesaving treatment and recovery supports for pregnant and parenting women living with substance use disorders (SUD). The funding launches the Ohio Integrated Maternal Wellness Pilot Project, an initiative designed to deliver coordinated, compassionate care directly to communities across northwest Ohio.

"We continue to prioritize making behavioral healthcare, treatment, and recovery accessible for all Ohioans," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "This expanded pilot project brings resources close to home so mothers can access important care for themselves and their babies, helping their children get the best possible start in life."

The Zepf Center has been awarded $261,349 to replicate a successful hospital-based model that integrates medical, behavioral health, and social services into a seamless continuum of care. Through this pilot, the Toledo-based provider will expand services into six rural northwest Ohio counties - Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Ottawa, Paulding, and Williams - helping women and their children access comprehensive, wraparound support closer to home. Those supports include things like linkage to primary care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, housing assistance, transportation, vocational training, education, developmental services, and other social services.

"Our goal is to ensure that every pregnant and parenting woman facing substance use challenges can access timely, coordinated care," said DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti. "By expanding this proven model into rural communities and actively reducing barriers to essential services and care, we are strengthening families, improving health outcomes for mothers and babies, and building pathways to long-term recovery and wellness throughout northwest Ohio."

The hospital-based model was originally developed by Marietta Memorial Hospital in partnership with DBH. The hospital has been awarded $214,305 to serve as a consultant and trainer, guiding implementation of the integrated care model in community settings.

"Together, these investments represent a coordinated commitment to improving maternal health, reducing the impact of substance use disorders, and creating healthier futures for Ohio families," Director Moretti said.

Known as MATernity Journey, the Marietta Memorial model emphasizes proactive outreach to engage women in treatment early, intensive care coordination throughout pregnancy, and sustained follow-up support after childbirth. The program connects participants with physical and behavioral health services, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and critical social supports.

The project also brings together a broad network of local partners through a Maternal Wellness Committee to strengthen collaboration and communication. In addition, it prioritizes training and education for hospital staff to increase confidence in prescribing MAT to pregnant women and to ensure timely, on-site access for those in need. 

During the pilot period, which concluded in September 2025, Marietta Memorial served nearly 200 women. Project leaders report promising outcomes, including:

• Six babies born to women with SUD and prior child removals were able to go home with their mothers, avoiding family separation.

• An estimated $490,000 in cost savings from reduced NICU stays and foster care avoidance.

• Thirty-seven physicians formally trained to prescribe MAT for pregnant women.

• 152 Memorial Health nurses and physicians received on-the-job training on withdrawal management and MAT protocols.

• A 42% increase in MAT prescriptions across the Memorial Health system.

• Strengthened collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and probation departments to improve engagement of justice-involved women and support diversion referrals.

To support successful implementation DBH is partnering with the Ohio Substance Use Disorder, Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University to provide technical assistance. Leveraging its expertise in implementation science, the Center will help adapt the hospital-based framework for community use, support ongoing quality improvement efforts, and lay the groundwork for future statewide replication. 

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DBH Contact:
Eric Wandersleben, Director of Media Relations and Outreach
614.359.6754 | [email protected]