Project RESPECT (established 2006) Recovery, Empowerment, Social Services, Prenatal care, Education, Community and Treatment:
Project RESPECT is a high risk obstetrical and addiction recovery medical home at BMC and Boston University School of Medicine. Project RESPECT provides a unique service of comprehensive obstetric, and substance use disorder treatment for pregnant persons and their newborns in Massachusetts. The majority of Project RESPECT’s patients are in recovery from opioid use disorder however we treat all substance use disorders, including alcohol, stimulants, sedatives, and cannabis. We offer a full range of treatment services including in-patient, acute substance withdrawal treatment and induction of medications to treat alcohol and opioid use disorder. Intensive, individualized out-patient treatment plans are outlined for each patient tailored to the severity of their disease and their recovery progress. The out-patient medical home model provides on-site, collaborative, and multidisciplinary care for pregnant and post-pregnant persons in recovery with specific focus for pregnant persons of color with SUDs. Our team includes high-risk obstetric providers, addiction medicine specialists, psychiatry, social worker, specialized nursing, a peer recovery specialist and research assistants.
Project RESPECT cares for an average of 200 to 250 birthing persons per year. This vulnerable population we serve is growing, and trained healthcare personnel are needed to meet the demand. Project RESPECT provides specialized training in SUD treatment in pregnancy for OB/GYN residents, medical students, and addiction medicine fellows. In addition, Project RESPECT created the first ACGME-accredited Maternal Addiction Medicine Fellowship in the US.
Project RESPECT and Boston University's Law School have formed a medical-legal partnership (MLP) for birthing persons and parents in recovery. Our MLP trains law students from Boston University's Health Law program under the supervision of Professors Debbie and Cristina Freitas. The Social Work Division of Project RESPECT merged with Boston University's School of Social Work to create a practicum focused on the behavioral health and psychosocial needs of birthing persons with SUDs.
Project RESPECT has relied on state and federally funding to support our clinical work and service delivery. NIH funding has supported our investigations of clinical and pharmacologic innovations for addiction treatment in pregnancy.
We are a team of dedicated and innovative providers who strive to improve the lives of our patients.
We need your help to sustain our program and continue our mission.
