The Evolution of CAPTA: 

Continuing the Conversation to Support Families Impacted by Substance Use

Releaese Date: December 18, 2023

Expiration Date: July 31, 2024

Target Audience: Physicians, nurses, social workers, quality professionals, risk managers, healthcare executives, nurse midwives, doulas, lactation specialists, labor and delivery nurses, and all healthcare professionals working with women and families impacted by trauma and addiction.

Description: Please join the Connecticut Hospital Association for a morning of interactive learning and sharing. During this half-day session, providers will have the opportunity to review their understanding of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), and family care plans. Experts from across the state will share updates on CAPTA, resources available, and how to operationalize the process in Connecticut hospitals.

 Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this activity, participants can expect to:
• Discuss the SEPI-CT (Substance Exposed Pregnancy Initiative of Connecticut) initiative and the new SEPI-CT website.
• Define family care plans and describe how they are created.
• Describe the screening process for families requiring resource assistance.
• Discuss CAPTA and Family Care Plan resources available for individuals and providers.
• Describe the processes for identifying and connecting with patients needing a family care plan.
• Identify areas of success and barriers in efficiently and effectively completing family care plans with prenatal patients.

YOUR FACULTY:

Bridget Aliaga-Briand, MPH, is the SEPI CT (Substance Exposed Pregnancy Initiative of CT) Program Manager at Wheeler, a CT initiative focused on improving the health and wellbeing of families impacted by prenatal substance exposure through multi- sector outreach and capacity building strategies. Prior to this role, Ms. Aliaga-Briand worked for Dartmouth-Hitchcock as a Continuum of Care Facilitator where she led bi-regional youth prevention strategies and broader efforts to improve systems of care for individuals impacted by substance use. Additionally, she previously facilitated bilingual programming for Latinx families at Planned Parenthood of Central and Western NY. Ms. Aliaga-Briand holds an MPH with a concentration in Health Services Administration from the State University of NY at Buffalo.

Mary Fitzgerald, LMSW, graduated with her Master’s in Social Work in 2020 from Southern CT State University. Ms. Fitzgerald is a Licensed Master of Social Work in the state of CT and has been in her role as Family Care Plan Coordinator for SEPI-CT (Substance Exposed Pregnancy Initiative of CT) for 11 months. SEPI-CT aims to strengthen capacity at the community, provider, and systems levels to improve the health and well-being of infants born substance exposed through supporting the recovery of pregnant people and their families. Previous to this position, she was the Program Director for Waterbury Youth Service’s Youth and Family Emergency Services, and provided clinical counseling services and resources to youth ages 18-24 who were homeless or unstably housed as well as their families. Ms. Fitzgerald also has experience counseling individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Shelly Nolan, MS, LPC, is a Director for Women’s Services within the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). She oversees the women’s specific continuum of care throughout the state, including services targeted for pregnant and parenting women. She partners with other state agencies, the healthcare system, and community partners to work though barriers specific to this unique demographic, while implementing new initiatives and collaborative efforts to overcome challenges. Her work includes onsite evaluation and support to ensure contract compliance, and she oversees the execution of several SAMHSA grant projects targeted at addressing the specific needs of women and families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and integration of peer support services. Ms. Nolan earned a master’s degree in Counseling and is a CT Licensed Professional Counselor.

Mary Doyle, LCSW, has been practicing in the field of social work for over 30 years. She earned a Master’s degree in social work from Columbia University School of Social Work. Ms. Doyle has served as a Perinatal Social Worker at Middlesex Hospital for the last 12 years working with prenatal and postpartum birthing persons, as well as, the social worker for the hospital’s Pregnancy and Birth Center. She previously worked as a social worker for an inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program at Orlando Health in Orlando, Florida, and as a Child Protective Investigator with the State of Florida.

Michele Harrison, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience in hospital and community behavioral health settings. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Seton Hall University and a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut. Ms. Harrison is currently employed at UConn Health as a clinical social worker dedicated to the Women’s Center. She has extensive experience meeting the psychosocial needs of women children and families.

Kris Robles, LCSW, earned a Master’s degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. He also received his Bachelor’s degree for Therapeutic Recreation from Springfield College. Mr. Robles has been working with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) since 2014, and in his current role as the clinical behavioral health manager, oversees substance use, recovery, and intimate partner violence. He previously worked as a supervising clinician and consultant with DCF, and has worked in the private sector managing evidence-based models and programs, working with youth in the juvenile justice system. Mr. Robles also previously worked as a consultant in detention centers, volunteered his time in the community for LGBTI Plus youth and adults, and is a member of the board of directors for the National Association of Social Work (NASW).