Advancing Racial Equity in Family Substance Use Disorder Recovery Programs through Culturally Responsive Design

A STUDY BY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA AND HUMANA

M William Sermons, Ph.D.; Todd D. Molfenter, Ph.D.; Margaret Ratcliff; Barbara Banaszynski; and Abbie Gilbert

January 2023

Volunteers of America is partnering with Humana and our local community partners to design substance use disorder programs that meet the unmet needs of pregnant and post-partum women of color. Using an innovative approach called NiaTx, community voices are intentionally sought, synthesized, and incorporated into the programs.

“Women and their children are increasingly impacted by Substance Use Disorders, and accessible and equitable treatment programs that integrate comprehensive services for both women and children are sorely needed… [However,] by listening to and employing women from the community, especially those with lived experience, [VOA’s] treatment model is being shaped by the community.”