The Perinatal Addictions Prevention Project (PAPP) operates statewide, educating professionals and consumers about substance use during the reproductive years, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding. This initiative prioritizes prevention and risk reduction to enhance the well-being of women, children, and their families.
The Perinatal Addictions Prevention Project main objectives include:
- Supporting prenatal care providers in the use of the Perinatal Risk Assessment (PRA) tool to assess their patients for use of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and exposure to trauma and violence.
- Training providers in how to use harm reduction techniques with their patients to reduce risky behaviors.
Who does the PAPP Serve
The Perinatal Addictions Prevention team works with professionals from all fields, including those in the addiction, medical, social work, judicial, and related fields working with people of childbearing age. This includes nurses, doctors, counselors, therapists, doulas, sober living facilities, group and half-way home coordinators, and school administrators.
The PAPP is also an amazing resource for the community and the people you serve in your professional capacity. Visit our Community page to learn more about the services and support we offer to the public.
How does the PAPP Serve Professionals
The PAPP facilitates the regular distribution of current literature, research, insights, trends, and legal information occurs throughout the country in regards to alcohol & substance abuse and addiction. The team provides a wide array of educational resources such as webinars ranging from educational PSAs on human trafficking, resources for substance use prevention, intimate partner violence programs, studies on substance-related accidents in children, insights on alcohol statistics, and a monthly open forum for healthcare providers to discuss perinatal substance abuse services to promote the use of a prenatal screening tool called 4Ps Plus. This tool assesses alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, and domestic violence, providing appropriate interventions to address these maternal and fetal risk factors.
The PAPP offers current resources and referrals for providers supporting alcohol and substance use and addiction for the Central NJ communities. View our most current resource guide here.
The PAPP and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
The PAPP is part of a statewide task force dedicated to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This initiative tackles concerns, care barriers, solutions, service coordination, and ongoing education, while a comprehensive state guide aids families and professionals in navigating the spectrum disorder's support services.
Statewide Virtual Open Forum - Download the Flyer Here
The Virtual Open Forum for Providers under PAPP is an interactive platform where healthcare professionals engage in discussions surrounding perinatal substance abuse services. This forum encourages dialogue, questions, and insights among providers, fostering collaboration in addressing the complexities of substance abuse during pregnancy and the perinatal period. Expert panels cover topics from screening and diagnosis to treatment options, emphasizing a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to improve care and outcomes for mothers and infants.
Upcoming Dates:
- Tues, May 20, 2025, 11AM - 12PM
- Wed, July 16, 2025, 12PM-1PM
- Thurs, Sept 18, 2025, 11PM-12PM
- Tues, Nov 18, 2025, 1PM-2PM
Click Here to for the Zoom Link
Speaking Events & Presentations - Download the Flyer
The Perinatal Addiction Prevention Project provides free education and awareness programs to promote healthy futures for families by preventing substance use during pregnancy. These engaging presentations are perfect parents, students, professionals, and community members. Topics include fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, the effects of perinatal substance use, trauma and addiction, harm reduction, stigma, and more. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, PAPP empowers communities with the tools and knowledge to support pregnant individuals and families impacted by substance use.
Other Resources
- Domestic Violence Signs
- FASD Family Guide 2019
- Perinatal Addiction Resource Guide
- Plans of Safe Care Brochure
- Statewide Directory for Women Affected by Substance Use
- Helping Professionals Understand & Navigate FASD Webinar
Additional Resources
- View the PSAs created by the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT): Sex Trafficking PSA and Labor Trafficking Here and Beyond PSA
- To learn more about the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT), visit their website by clicking here.
- Request a speaker regarding human trafficking.
- Visit NJ Prevention Hub for a statewide system of provider agencies that serve as local connectors to substance use prevention programs and resources available in each county.
- Police warn Parents after Edibles Disguised as Every Day Snack Confiscated from Burlington County Teen
- Animal Tranquilizer Found in Increasing Number of Screenings
- Join A Partnership for Change for their upcoming Intimate Partner Violence Advocate Certification Program
- American Academy of Pediatrics study shows a 1375% increase in number of children who accidentally ingested marijuana edibles. Read that study here
- FDA Approves Narcan for Over-The-Counter Use
- Take a Look at the Latest Facts and Statistics about Alcohol from the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Contact Us
Contact our Perinatal Risk Reduction Coordinator Roseann Cervelli, M.S., LCADC, CPS, CCS at rcervelli@cjfhc.org for any of these supports or if you have any questions on what the Perinatal Addiction Prevention team can do for you.
The Perinatal Addictions Prevention team does not provide direct substance abuse counseling services.
